Tribe of Judah, “Exit Elvis” (Spitfire)
After surviving his hazing in the Van Halen fraternity, Gary Cherone has re-teamed with former Extreme bandmates Pat Badger (bass) and Mike Mangini (drums) to form a quintet rounded out by Leo Mellace (guitar) and Steve Ferlazzo (keys/synth).
After surviving his hazing in the Van Halen fraternity, Gary Cherone has re-teamed with former Extreme bandmates Pat Badger (bass) and Mike Mangini (drums) to form a quintet rounded out by Leo Mellace (guitar) and Steve Ferlazzo (keys/synth).
Despite the Extreme-heavy lineup, the group sounds almost nothing like that act. This is due in part to Ferlazzo, whose infectious, electronic soundscapes add to the music a dimension not heard on any of Extreme’s releases.
It can also be attributed to Cherone, whose voice sounds more dynamic and powerful than on any of his previous works, and whose songwriting style has developed a darker, moodier edge.
Most of the album’s 11 tracks are heavy, industrial rockers, and the entire collection is characterized by a crisp, clear, huge-sounding mix.
With a debut album this strong, the group’s only significant roadblock to success may lie in getting the public to belay its knee-jerk aversion to ‘80s- and ‘90s-era rock musicians.
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