Gotta love the title first of all, I mean, "Headtrip to Nowhere…" like who hasn't?

"Cavalry" is the first up and so far I dig it-it's got this opening riff and lets it be known that this is a band, while indeed new and in tune with modernity, they pay attention to the importance actually playing their instruments. Where others regurgitate the same triad of raging guitar riffs through muddy mixes and down tuned discord, Flybanger deftly takes the high road, not happily by any means but we might say the next level up from the many antsy Rap-core/angst Rock emulators seeking fame and fortune through the usual associative recording principles.

"Radical's" got a feverish vibe running through it, nearly Pantera-ish in overall make up, not quite so rash and not
better than the opener but still okay. "Blind World" has a catchy riff going for it, nearly hooky I'd say and their formulaic use of verse before punctually arriving at their choral point is rather adept-hey, there's a reason they've turned up on a major here right?

They've got the "big" sound many listeners are accustomed to but again adding another element to the songs widening the structures from the standard form of acceptance, they've got direction but their open to suggestions.

"Pull" is another one to highlight here, less inclined toward tenacity, more so of melody, still gripping but an overall
complete song. Having already experienced life's ups and downs on the road that either takes you to ruination or redemption, theirs has been a well rounded existence-having taken their lumps along the way while not necessarily hitting us repeatedly over the head telling about them!

They've toured with some pretty staunch performers in their relatively short existence and have proved they can handle the spotlight and hold up with today's stand outs with an extra degree of musicality better associated with traditional Hard Rock… a marketable name, flighty compositions, they play like seasoned veterans misplaced in the new age-tempered aggression and attention to detail.

They'll probably turn up on an indie before this one's got a chance to really take off but such is the case with Rock and Roll music with expressive tendencies that deviate from the norm of a society dictated by angry sixteen year
olds. Angry enough, they're doing something right here usually reserved for screaming and obligatory 3-chord chaos, and it's worth a couple of listens before passing full judgment by which time you'll have found something to latch onto.

Released By Columbia Records

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]
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METAL STORM PRODUCTIONS
Vinnie Apicella

P.O. Box 20252
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