TYRANNY AND MUTATION

3.5 stars. I'm not sure who decided to call this band "The American Black Sabbath" but it's very misleading in my opinion.These guys are nowhere near as dark or as heavy as BLACK SABBATH. Good band of course but I just think that title must have been thought up by managment, the record label or the band to promote sales. I do think this record is better than the debut, but it took a while for this to grow on me.

I think part of the problem for me is that the first two tracks do nothing for me, so the tone has been set and it's hard to get past that,but I finally did. "The Red & The Black" opens dramatically followed by an uptempo melody with vocals. A raw sounding guitar solo before 2 minutes.The best part of the song is the final minute as the bass throbs. "O.D.'d On Life Itself" is a mid paced song with some nice guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. I just can't get into this one except for the section between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 minutes. "Hot Rails To Hell" is much better thankyou. An uptempo rocker with prominant guitar.

"7 Screamed Diz-Busters" is one of my top three songs on here.This one has a catchy rhythm and I like the vocals better too. I like the way the vocals and lead guitar trade off after 1 1/2 minutes. Some fantastic guitar after 2 minutes and 3 1/2 minutes in. Organ a minute later. "Baby Ice Dog" is one song I don't get lyrically or instrumentally. Not a fan. "Wings Wetted Down" is my favourite track.This one is darker with some sinister guitar and lyrics to match. "Teen Archer" is a pretty good uptempo track.The drums are very active. Some organ and piano on this one as well. "Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)" is my other top three song. Cool vocals on the chorus. Some good organ after 2 minutes. I like the guitar to end it.

A step up from their debut but i'm still waiting to be wowed.