There’s something about this recent second coming of Dee Snider that leaves a constant permagrin on my face because there’s very few artists out there today who can masterfully infuse some genuine FUN into Metal the way that Mr. Snider can. On his latest offering, the even more METAL follow up to 2018’s For Love Of Metal (Sweet jeebus, has it really been three years since this beastie?!?!?), Snider does just that with one heavy ass record that’s a cerebral celebration of the loudest musical genre.
“I Gotta Rock (Again)” is pure heavy shreddin’ and a banger of an opening tune from one of the absolute masters of the scene. Guitarists Charlie Bellmore and Nick Petrino build an impenetrable wall of shred with Nick Bellmore’s percussive rumble steadily slaying until Snider’s iconic howl enters to remind all the kiddies once again how it’s done. “All or Nothing More” is more in-your-face Metal madness that’s a veritable maelstrom of guitars giving the track a little old school Thrash feel with a sick Russell Pzütto bass solo and an epic Anthrax call and response kind of verse before opening up into a glorious anthem-fueled chorus.
“Down But Never Out” seriously stomps combining modern Metal with ’90’s Hardcore (Think Hatebreed in particular especially with front person Jamey Jasta once again in the producer’s chair on this album) with Snider sounding just as potent as he did when he belted out “I Wanna Rock” for the very first time on this anthem and then some while “Before I Go” is a bodacious banger that’s a salty slab of righteous Rawk through and through with an even bigger chorus than what’s come before. “Open Season” is traditional Metal, “Crying For Your Life” is ominous and unholy in the vein of Black Sabbath or Heaven And Hell, and “In For The Kill” is a sinister slaying in a Maiden vein but morphs into some new Metal monster that’s equally moody and maniacal.
“S.H.E.” is a sweeping mid-temp rocker that softens the blow after Cannibal Corpse’s own George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher makes his monstrous vocal presence known on the rollicking rabble rouser “Time To Choose” and later on, “The Reckoning” gives fans their next mosh pit fave leading into the grand finale and easily a new instant classic in the form of “Stand”.
Leave A Scar lands on July 30th through Napalm Records. For pre-orders in a variety of formats, head here and for the latest news and more, follow the Dee on the socials by clicking here, here, or here. And to celebrate with the man himself, be sure to tune into Snider’s livestream event on July 29th with tickets and ticket packages available here.