Studio album number four has landed from one time novelty metal band Fozzy, with yet another tweak in the line up that has surrounded the central core of guitar hero Rich “The Duke” Ward and high flying multi-time world wrestling champion cum vocalist Chris Jericho in their ten year career. When Fozzy first appeared they all adopted larger then life alter egos, claiming to be the originator of all things metal, including being the original writers of tracks by the like of Dio and Maiden, stranded in anonymity in Japan thanks to a record deal gone wrong. With that comedic back story, the band was pretty much written off by all and sundry as a one CD, one trick pony. Indeed, the first time I saw them as they were playing to a packed second stage at Donnington in 2005, when the band first came on stage it was to chants of “Y2J”, one of Chris Jericho’s assorted wrestling names. However, such was their stage presence, power, and enthusiasm, that after just a few tracks the crowd was chanting for Fozzy.
Four albums in over a decade is not particularly prolific, but when you consider the commitments of the main players, it’s an accomplishment to be proud off. However, is the music on ‘Chasing the Grail’ likewise something to be proud of? Certainly. The album starts with one of the band’s heaviest riffs to date, ‘Under Blackened Skies’ giving The Duke a chance to show his shredding skills that were so restrained on Stuck Mojo’s last album which tended towards lighter 70’s rock influences. The fast riffs are excellently complimented by Sean Delson’s bass and the precision drums of returning skins man Frank Fontsere, while Jericho shows his mike skills go far beyond whipping up an arena full of wrestling fans. Fozzy even move further from their traditional metal style with the thrashing riffs of ‘Pray For Blood’, where the high speed buzz saw guitar has more then a slight whiff of corpse paint about it, as do the lyrics of war, mayhem and cannibalism!
Throughout the twelve tracks of this CD, the band displays a whole variety of styles. Single ‘Martyr No More’ is a comparatively radio friendly track, delivering hooks that will have the heads of non metal fans nodding along whilst the high speed guitar solo showcases the skills that has garnered the admiration of so many metal fans. ‘Broken Soul’, with its subtle piano and Hammond organ effortlessly evoking gentler Southern rock sounds, with layered and harmonised vocals throwing a merest hint of psychedelia into the mix.
Amongst all these tracks, arguably pride of place must go to the rock epic album closer ‘Wormwood’. With an opening of a ticking clock and snatched sound-bites it easily evoked the work of Pink Floyd, before swirling through countless tempo changes, mixed with soaring keyboards, bursts of acoustic guitar, and Chris Jericho’s most emotional vocal performance, being variously subtle, soulful, growling and sustained, demonstrating a classic metal range. Respectful nods are made in the direction of Deep Purple, Dream Theatre, and Blind Guardian throughout the 14 minutes of the number.
‘Chasing the Grail’ doesn’t hit a single wrong note, whilst at the same time managing not to sound over produced, testament to The Duke’s skills behind the desk as well as with a six string. Last time out in the London I interviewed Rich Ward (http://www.metalteamuk.net/interview-stuckmojo.htm), where he admitted due to assorted commitments “Mojo’s my big dog, and my little dog that is raring to go is Fozzy.” On the quality of this album, the little dog has grown up.
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