Drowning Pool
RESILIENCE

Is there anyone that even knows what the identity of "Drowning Pool" is even supposed to mean these days? Let's face it, the ONLY reason that name means anything is because their debut produced the song "Bodies" and shortly after their singer died. Since then, this "band" has literally been a revolving door of singers so that they never established an actual identity past "Bodies" and the followup "Sinner". Having met these guys many times, they are certainly nice enough guys. Their heart is also in the right place, specifically with the way they go out of their way to support the troops with visits to war zones, supportive songs and whatnot. All of that said though, it doesn't spare them the fact that by changing singers every couple of years, they never established much of a groove or a "signature sound" where you hear it and go, "oh, that's Drowning Pool". Once again, for the fourth time actually, there's a new singer fronting Drowning Pool. This guy's name is Jason Moreno. He's OK, I guess. That said though, RESILIENCE suffers once again from what has plagued this band...zero identity.

Rob Zombie
VENOMOUS RAT REGENERATOR VENDOR

It's been a long time since Rob Zombie did an album that was actually worth listening to. For many, he was done after the first HELLBILLY DELUXE release. To say the least, he's never been that good since. Having been a fan of Zombie up to that point, be it the "Rob" or the "White" variety, his career since then where there was music painted around his movie and directing careers, has been spotty at best. While I still listen to ASTROCREEP about once a month, I can't remember the last time I listened to SINISTER URGE or EDUCATED HORSES. I know it hasn't been recently. Even knowing a new release was coming didn't lead me back to those releases. Zombie has surprised me, and many for that matter, with VENOMOUS RAT REGENERATOR VENDOR. Wtihout question, this is the best release Zombie has done in a LOT of years. While no one will mistake VENDOR as a classic recording by any means, it's the most fun album he's done in a very long time. Rob Zombie is back...at least somewhat.

Black Star Riders
ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE

For so many people, it's a constant complaint when bands with one or two original members continue on with a band name instead of forming a brand new project. The topic of "how many original members makes a band a band" has been debated on literally every rock music show that's existed over the last 20 years, and there's never been a definitive answer to any of it. For some people, if there's one original guy then it's OK to use the established name. For others, nothing short of all original members qualifies. For others, it's a question of which original member is there. Across the board, there's a lot of indecision regarding just how many members of a band make that band still exist. A couple of years ago, guitarist Scott Gorham reformed and toured a "new" Thin Lizzy comprised of himself and, pretty much, all new players. Having seen them, I will give them a lot of credit for carrying on not only the sound of Thin Lizzy, but the spirit of the band with full respect paid to the heart and soul of the original band, Phil Lynott. When they decided to record a new studio album, they could easily have chosen the easy, better selling idea to call it Thin Lizzy. Instead, they chose a new band name and chose to leave the integrity of the original band intact. So, first and foremost, bravo to them for that tough move that was PROBABLY not well received by their record company.

This week on THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW, Neeley and Chris return live with a great new episode.  

First up, the band Thin Lizzy is back with a brand new album and a new band name to go with it.  In a classy, gutsy move, the revamped lineup is now called Black Star Riders.  After a great tour with Judas Priest and Black Label Society, the band decided to honor the late Phil Lynott's legacy by not continuing with a new album titled "Thin Lizzy".  What they have created is a brand new album called ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE which not only rocks, but continues the proud legacy of the Thin Lizzy sound.  Bassist Marco Mendoza will be calling into THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW to talk about the new album, touring plans and the giant shoes they are filling.

Also on the show, one of the guy's favorite singers will be checking into THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW this week.  Newly solo, Cinderella vocalist Tom Keifer will be checking into show to talk about his new album THE WAY LIFE GOES.  The album, which encompasses not only the traditional sound of classic Cinderella but some new elements, has been getting a lot of play lately around the country, and Keifer is ready to talk about it.  The guys will be chatting with Tom about THE WAY LIFE GOES, as well as the future of Cinderella as a band.