ALBUM REVIEW: ‘For The Love Of Metal’ by Dee Snider

For The Love Of Metal is the new solo album from Dee Snider. Snider stated that “[Hatebreed vocalist] Jamey Jasta challenged me to make a contemporary rock record… and I rose to the challenge!”. Best known as the frontman of Twisted Sister, Snider’s new album combines similar sounds of old school metal with more modern metal features. The album was produced by Jamey Jasta and features contributions from Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage), Mark Morton (Lamb Of God), Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (Toxic Holocaust) and Charlie Bellmore (Kingdom Of Sorrow).

Snider’s distinctive vocals are prevalent in Tomorrow’s No Concern. Catchy bass and guitar riffs open into fast chord sequences that are recognisably the old school metal style. Snider’s vocals soar in the chorus emphasing the power of the track with the busy instrumentation underneath. This track ticks all the boxes of a single in this style. Catchy songwriting and powerful tones are clearly in the style of Snider but there doesn’t appear to be anything from more modern metal sounds coming through as yet. I Am The Hurricane is more dramatic in style with contrasting fast sections and a slower chorus. The half speed tempo change in the chorus creates a powerful sound without losing the energy of the faster verse, and sparse guitar sections add an extra detail to the track whilst retaining the sound familiar with Snider. I Am The Hurricane has a more experimental feel with more emphasis on creating depth and interest in each instrumental part. This gives the track a more contemporary feel compared to Tomorrow’s No Concern.

American Made sounds exactly as the title suggests; the opening screech from Snider accompanied with fast four chord progressions fits the slightly cheesy, patriotic sound often heard in old school metal from artists across the pond. This track is more simplistic compared to others respecting the structure and chord sequences however, the track has high energy levels and power behind it. Guitar solos break up the prominence of chords and Snider’s aggressive vocal tone suits the more aggressive tone of the track. The outro breakdown subtly shows modern influences but does feel a little out of place compared to the rest of the track. Become The Storm opens with harmonised guitar melodies which complement the harsher tone of Snider’s vocals. This track is another example of catchy song writing – the soaring chorus is reasonably simple but powerful.  Become The Storm features more details in the instrumentation, during the chorus the guitars imitate the vocal line. The presence of guitar melodies in the verse adds an extra detail that lifts the track. This has a more modern feel to it with the level of detail that runs throughout the whole track.

Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy) differs significantly from other tracks on the album. The acoustic guitar opening and female vocals from Alissa White-Gluz create a serene atmosphere that greatly contrasts Snider’s use of aggressive vocals and guitars in previous tracks. The build up to heavy guitars and Snider’s vocals lifts the track into another dimension with the juxtaposing sounds used. This track feels the most modern in style on the album. The range of tones used through two vocalists and juxtaposing softer and more aggressive sounds are techniques used by most metal bands are the present. The heavier guitar rhythm moves away from the standard strumming pattern to a rhythm that boarders on the djent style. The intricacy of the guitar solo with scalic sections, harmonising and string bends.

For The Love Of Metal is recognisably Dee Snider and born out of old school metal styles however, the presence of modern touches from song structure to the style of strumming used on the guitars has created something new. This album will appeal to a wider spectrum of listeners with the presence of these features.

8/10

For fans of: Twisted Sister, Metallica, Motörhead
Words by Holly Royle

‘For The Love Of Metal’ by Dee Snider is out now on Napalm Records.