GRIMMSTINE - review added 30th October 2009
Album Review: Grimmstine (self-titled) (2009)
For fans of: Metal... and suspicious baby noises
Grimmstine is a new project taking the first half of its name from the mighty Steve Grimmett, and the second from guitarist Steve Stine.
Steve Grimmett is former vocalist with UK thrash legends Onslaught, not to mention Grim Reaper, Lionsheart and his own solo group The Steve Grimmett Band. Steve Stine is guitarist with US bands Avian and Methuselah. Completing the line-up is Dave Johnson on Drums and the randomly named 'Hat' on bass, both of who play for US band Sons Of Poseidon.
The sound is achingly heavy in places and relaxed yet melodic in others. The guitar and rhythm section are at their best making a sound that will give you wet dreams. The more modest segments are more than okay, but it's the double-kick/thrash-riffs that are truly stunning.
Steve Grimmett's vocals are positively massive too. I would describe him more as an acquired taste than an out-and-out star vocalist but, if you like the idea of Rob Rock and Bruce Dickinson combined with a half-tone-higher megaphone, you'll be a big fan of his work. The result of the vocals and musicianship flits between heavy-metal, melodic-rock and power-balladry. There are certainly other bands out there that play similar types of music, but no one else does quite this combination in quite this way.
The opening riff of first full track '911' is as meaty as a pork pie in beefy gravy. It's a great sounding song with a menagerie of monster drums and pinched harmonics. The relatively lightweight chorus doesn't do the sound justice. It isn't bad; just a wasted opportunity. 'Got Nothing But Time' starts with a moody bass-led intro before exploding with one of best noises you could ever hope for. It's one of the heaviest musical tracks I've heard for a while and (musically) it totally kicks ass. Again, it lacks that massive chorus, but it's easier to forgive when the rest of the song sounds so gnarly.
'To Catch A Killer' does biblically proportioned guitars too, this time with a massive groove. 'You’ll Never Know' is the first of the slower tracks. It hints at immeasurable power but never takes off, instead sticking to a bass-heavy blues-inspired sound. 'You Give Me Love' is more melodic too, but this time with a backdrop of pounding drums and big guitars. The thrashing groove of 'Straight As An Arrow' gets matters back on the straight and narrow. It's got an authentic 1980's vibe to it and quite possibly hints at Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells.
'Take This Air' is a stop-start song with an underlying air of distant speed. There are moments when the track seems to trip over itself, but it's still one of the bigger moments on the record. 'Afraid Of The Dark', on the other hand, probably is the biggest track on the record. If the whole album had sounded as good it would have been a blinder. 'This Don’t Look Like Love To Me' is a big power ballad somewhere between Judas Priest and Pink Floyd. It's either unutterably over-the-top or utterly brilliant. I still can't decide. Final track 'To Sing A Lullaby (Immy’s Song)' starts with the noise of a baby (presumably the Immy in the title) before heading down a soft acoustic avenue. It's quite unlike anything else on the album but works well.
Difficult album, this eponymous debut for Grimmstine. I love way the guitar, bass and drum sounds work together; there are numerous gigantic riffs and instrumental interludes. Steve Grimmett's vocals are good too. I'm not a massive fan of his style, but I can certainly hear the quality. However, the result only manages to be average. The songs don't have big enough choruses or enough classically memorable moments. It's a great sounding release, but for me it just doesn't have much in the way of long-term appeal.
Check out... The cool artwork.
Track List:
1. Memory
2. 911
3. Supernatural
4. Got Nothing But Time
5. To Catch A Killer
6. You’ll Never Know
7. It’s Over
8. Prisoner
9. You Give Me Love
10. Straight As An Arrow
11. ‘Till They Take My Wings
12. Take This Air
13. Afraid Of The Dark
14. This Don’t Look Like Love To Me
15. To Sing A Lullaby (Immy’s Song)
Label: Metal Heaven
Artist's website(s): MySpace
