2/16/04
StrutterZine, The Netherlands
Gabor Kleinbloesem
Editor of Strutter'zine
BALISTIC 'TRANSFERENCE' (INDEPENDENT)
I reviewed some CDs of this American band a long time ago, but they are now back with a new CD, and also a new lead singer. I am afraid I have forgotten how the previous sounded like, but the new guy (Mark McNelly) has a very good strong and powerful voice, which fits perfectly with BALISTIC's traditional Melodic Metal. In fact, after repeated listens to the new CD, I can easily add here that singer Mark McNelley is by far one of the best new lead singers I have heard lately! Musically, sometimes the band reminds me a bit of a slower version of TWISTED TOWER DIRE, so you can find some classy 80s US Power Metal on this CD. Opener "Power" is a nice midtempo Melodic Metal piece, but it's the following track "Purgatory" that goes away with the award here. "Purgatory" has a fantastic catchy melodic chorus, and is basically a lovely Progressive Metal song, not unlike 80s QUEENRSYCHE, AZTEC JADE... Good to see that the band has put some sensational memorable songs on this new CD, so I can easily recommend it now, because this "Purgatory" is a very sensational song with beautiful harmonyvocals. Moving on with the CD we can find some more good (Progressive) Melodic Metal songs like "One of seven" and "I'm a liar". In the end, the band reminds me a lot of a band called SYRIS, if anyone remember them, then go ahead and get this new BALISTIC a.s.a.p.! Concluded, a recommended 6-track mini-CD from this American band, which you can check out at: http://www.balistic.com and e-mail at: band@balistic.com
(Points: 8.0 out of 10)
Blast Magazine
534 East Union Street
Hartford Kentucky, 42347
(270)-298-9555
www.blastmagazine.net
DPFinley70@aol.com
THE BAND:
Mark McNelley - lead & harmony vocals
Brian Kneasel - lead guitar
Mike Bordner - rhythm guitar, backing vocals, (lead vocal on bonus track)
Dave Fox - bass guitar, harmony vocals
John Lohman - drums and percussion
TRACK - BY - TRACK:
1.) "Power" - This track opens with a huge, and I mean huge sounding drum pattern intro. The main intro kicks in with a few lead guitar effects. The guitar arrangements for the intro have a very intense feel to them. At times through the verse the vocal accents of Mark's vocal lines have a very early Vince Neil "Too fast for Love" sound too them. The choruses are very simply structured and well arranged. After the first chorus there is a very small lead scale along with a mean rhythm guitar arrangement. There is a great mixture of two different guitar arrangements on this track, the lead guitar playing one thing where the rhythm guitarist is playing something else. Lyrically the song is very simple, just laid back letting the music take the forefront. For Ballistic being a progressive style band the solo is is set up and sounds more like a standard metal arrangement than progressive.
2.) "Purgatory"-This track opens with a short one bar bass line in the vein of Ozzy's "No More Tears" . The guitar arrangements of the pre-verse are very simply structured in sound, letting the bass take more of a lead instrument. The backing harmonies of the chorus will completely blow you away. The band change the dynamics of the music several times by changing the rhythm arrangements. This writing style is classic progressive songwriting. There is a real cool bass line underneath the rhythm section of the song. The guitar arrangements have a lot of palm muting guitar sections. This gives the song a very laid back feel. During the palm muting section there are a few lead guitar scales over the top of it. Classic, classic song writing!!! Lyrically the song has a very religious feel to it. During the bridge section there is a very small percussion section done with a Vibra Slap.
3.) "One of Seven"- The intro to this track consists of the whole band. The drum pattern for the intro along with the guitar arrangements of the pre-verse have a very modern metal feel. The main guitar riffs have a very intense feel to them. the chorus of the song vocally has an almost melodic feel. For the second verse the drummer incorporates a double bass drum pattern. At times the musical arrangements of the song are very syncopated sounding. The solo at times has an abstract feel to it. The lyrical and musical arrangement has a very early Queensryche.
4.) "Your World" - This track opens with a very progressive metal style intro. The main musical arrangements of the verse has a very abstract feel too them. The pre-verse consists of mainly bass and drums. After the verse there is a very small Edward Van Halen type lead scale. The choruses of the song are very laid back in a melodic metal way. At times and, the best way to explain it, is the lyric arrangement almost sounds drug induced...if that makes sense. For the ending of the track the band completely change the dynamics of the song with a complete arrangement change.
5.) "I'm a Liar" -This track opens with a lead riff transferring between the left and right speaker. Musically this track has a huge hook laced within the musical arrangement of the verse. The vocal arrangement of the verse have a very early melodic metal feel. The 'china boy' cymbal of the chorus added a nice effect to the choruses sound. The sound musically reminds you a lot of the stuff Queensryche did on "The Warning". There is a huge bass line breakdown in respect of the late John Entwistle on The Who's "My Generation". From beginning to end this track really shows the bass player's talent.
Bonus track: "Rodeo Song"-Before I go any further you must be warned that this track is rated 'R'!!! The main guitar riffs of this track are very simply structured in sound. From right off you can hear the huge bass sound. The guitarist does the vocals on this track and he does a pretty good job. Lyrically this track would make a great live song closer. There are a couple real cool double bass drum licks after the pre-verses.
Much like the band Queensryche Ballistic build a pretty good bridge between progressive metal and melodic/standard metal. All the songs on "Transference" are well structured and written. At times you can hear a modern metal influence but for the most part Ballistic sounds like the came right out of 1984. Which is great if your one of the many metal fans out there who feel disenchanted with the metal scene of the past ten years. Much like with grudge of 1990 Ballistic is a breath of fresh air in a stale music environment. This band deserves a major recording contract!!! Darrell Finley - Blast Magazine
Quintenssence Magazine - Mt. Carmel Pa.
Balistic (U.S.) - "Transference" (2003 self released)
I really beat the shit out of this band with the last review I did of their debut CD. The only reason was due to the fact their original vocalist really sucked and brought the band's music down; Balistic's music is incredible however but this guy was holding them back. So here we are, a year and a half later after more than just me mentioned about this guy's monotone and expressionless vocals.
Enter Mark McNelley, ex-vocalist for Spellbound. This is the missing piece of the puzzle!! Mark is a cross between Bruce Dickinson and Ray Alder (for you less-musical smart people; Iron Maiden and Fates Warning vocalists). This guy has an honest and smooth delivery. As far as Balistic's music? It's just as impressive with the multi-layered riffs from hell with the tandem of Kneasel, Bordner and Fox. I say this because when you thought all the possible riffs have been written in Metal music already, these guys actually come up with original ones or unorthodox variations of those "it sounds like" but it's not copycatting the actual riff that comes to mind from another band as an example.
The songwriting has maured consideraby and Kneasel's guitarwork is beyond phenomenal and they add extra gut to the rest of the guys helping out and in the songwriting department. Alot of bands come to mind like Metallica, Megadeth, newer Anthrax, Monster Magnet, XYZ and Shotgun Messiah...just throw it all in a blender! Balistic is absolutely the real deal and would be a signable band on any Progressive Metal label.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.balistic.comTrack List:
1. Power
2. Purgatory
3. One of Seven
4. Your World
5. I'm a Liar
6. bonus track
Other Genres:
