Altitudes & Attitude – Get It Out
Megaforce Records
Release Date: 18/01/2019
Running Time: 46:32
Review by Stephen Moss
8/10
Thrash Metal has what’s called “The Big Four”, Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer, so-called because they supposedly influenced all other Thrash bands.
Altitudes & Attitude is a collaboration of two bassists from “The Big Four”, Frank Bello from Anthrax who handles vocal duties, rhythm guitar and bass solos and Megadeth’s David Ellefson, who also plays rhythm guitar and bass. On the drums is Jeff Friedl from “A Perfect Circle” plus many guests who add their creative spin, including, Christian Martucci (Stone Sour), Ace Frehley (Kiss), Jon Donais (Anthrax/Shadows Fall), Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper/The Iron Maidens), Gus G. (Firewind/Ozzy Osbourne) plus Russ Parrish (‘Satchel’ from Steel Panther) and “Get It Out” is a follow up to their self-titled 2014 EP!
What Altitudes & Attitude do extremely well is develop their own sound. This is in no way, shape, or form simply a cut and paste replica of their original bands. Fans expecting an extension of Anthrax or Megadeth will be disappointed.
The point of side projects is to explore new musical paths, try new sounds that are not always the same as the members main band, take risks, and to experiment musically. Bello and Ellefson do just that. Bello pointed out that “It’s a perfect moment for fans to see other sides of us as artists — not just as musicians and performers, but as artists.”
However, that’s not to say that there aren’t moments of good ‘ole thrash metal. For example, there’s a pretty shredding solo from Nita Strauss in the song ‘Part Of Me’ and ‘Out Here’, ‘Slip’ and ‘Late’ are all essential tracks! “Get It Out” is packed with solid rock tracks, catchy lyrics, and amazing artists. Personally, I think this album will appeal to old fans of “The Big Four” as well as younger Rock/Metal fans who appreciate the more current and less dated style.
One thing I found surprising is the overall tone of the album. Some songs have more of an upbeat feel to it yet Bello said about the album;
“A lot of these lyrics are about the inner struggles of my life, and about the rage that has built up from my life experiences—my brother’s murder; my father abandoning my family when we were young, leaving us with no funds to pay the bills. The ups-and-downs of life in general. I’ve always had an anger inside that music really helps me deal with.”
These songs deal with some deep issues and I would expect music that deals with such dark and meaningful topics to be full of rage, emotion and have an overall heavier feel.
However, I found myself missing the seriousness of the tracks because many sound so upbeat and happy but, overall, I have really enjoyed listening to Altitudes and Attitude and “Get It Out” is and album I will definitely keep returning to!
TRACKLISTING:
01. Get It Out
02. Late
03. Out Here
04. Part Of Me
05. Slip
06. Talk To Me
07. Leviathan
08. Cold
09. Another Day
10. All There Is
11. Booze And Cigarettes
12. Tell The World
13 Here Again
LINKS:
http://www.altitudesandattitude.com/
https://www.facebook.com/altitudesandattitude/
Tweets by altandatt
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNL8h-ibZ5sIBcFNZfFwC0g
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Stephen Moss and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.