This is one of those CD's that even after a few listens, you really can't get too excited about and you are left feeling that you have heard it all before. Yes, James Byrd is a phenominal guitar player, but he really is no different from all the other neo-classical metal players out there like Malmsteen, MacAlpine, Moore, Chastain, Mattson, Impelliterri, and countless others. If Anthem were strictly an instrumental affair, this might be a bit more enjoyable, but Byrd has enlisted the services of singer Michael Flatters, who sounds like a combination of Mark Boals and every other past Yngwie vocalist. Why is it all these guitarists try to find singers that will make their albums sound like a dated Malmsteen reject? Byrd's technique however, is flawless, and the guitar solos on the CD's nine tracks are quite good. It is obvious that Byrd grew up on Blackmore, Roth, Marino, Schenker, Hendrix, and all the obvious classical composers, much like Malmsteen, but really, if you have heard all of Yngwie's best stuff, I wouldn't recommend this CD too much, unless you are a glutton for dark, neo-classical metal with endless guitar solos. I'll give this two stars for the guitar work alone, otherwise it lacks any originality whatsoever.
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
