Album Review: IMPELLITTERI - The Nature Of The Beast

01. Hypocrisy

02. Masquerade

03. Run For Your Life

04. Phantom Of The Opera (Andrew Lloyd Webber cover)
05. Gates Of Hell
06. Wonder World
07. Man Of War
08. Symptom Of The Universe (Black Sabbath cover)
09. Do You Think I'm Mad
10. Fire It Up
11. Kill The Beast
12. Shine On

The Nature Of The Beast is the eleventh studio album from guitar hero Chris Impellitteri and his band. Musically, I'd describe Impellitteri as a blend of Traditional Heavy Metal and Power Metal, with a twist of Classical music in there too.

Chris is an incredible guitarist and phenomenal shredder, not vastly dissimilar in style to Yngwie Malmsteen, meaning that this album is an absolute must for guitar nuts. Personally, I always think the song should come first, and the guitar solos must add to the song, as opposed to drown it in a flurry of notes. For the most part, this album gets it right. At times, such as on the two covers, the super-fast, relentless solos seem to overpower the songs a bit too much.

There are some great songs on here such as the super heavy Gates Of Hell, which sounds like a cross between Yngwie Malmsteen and Testament, and the dramatic Man Of War, which shares the same spirit as Metallica's For Whom The Bell Tolls in places. I also particularly enjoyed Kill The Beast which is a powerful slab of Metal that brought to mind both Savatage and King Diamond, and also the song Masquerade, where Chris plays in more of a Zakk Wylde style. Ultimately, the track reminded me a bit of Ozzy Osbourne's Miracle Man and Tattooed Dancer. That works for me!

The production on this album is absolutely perfect, as it balances the classic Heavy Metal sound with a contemporary twist. Sonically, it reminds me of the awesome work Roy Z did on the first Halford album, Resurrection, and what Andy Sneap has done with classic Metal bands such as Judas Priest, Saxon, and Accept. It all sounds so clear and powerful, with every note shining through in the mix, whilst retaining that rawness associated with this kind of Metal.

The Nature Of The Beast is a really strong record for this genre, and is as accomplished as it is excessive.