Appice - Sinister

 

Appice - Sinister is the 2017 release from the brothers Appice, Vinny and Carmine, who have provided drums behind some of the most iconic bands of all time. Black Sabbath, Dio, Rod Stewart, Ozzy, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, King Kobra, Blue Murder, Heaven and Hell and Beck, Bogert and Appice are just some of the standouts. The music is sure to please any fans of the drums and hard driving, powerful music. Sinister is the first album from the Appice brothers band and it features some big time, all-star musicians.    

Before I start in on the Appice - Sinister review I wanted to give a little background about lead singer Jim Crean. Jim and I played little league baseball together and Jim came over to jam with me and a few friends when I began playing electric bass guitar as a teenager. It's amazing to hear Jim sing on the opening track by a band fronted by the Appice brothers. Jim has truly arrived on the big time rock scene. It's great to see and hear Jim doing what he always dreamed of doing and having a successful music career. OK on with the music review...

The beginning of Sinister begins with a heavy bass and drums back beat, the keyboard provides the melody and Jim Crean adds the icing on the cake. Jim provides a breathy vocal on the intro and follows the track as the energy and tempo ramps up. The Appice brothers offer an amazing drum volley to make the music that much more interesting. The song returns to the slow and melodic intro giving Jim Crean the chance to stretch out on vocals. Sinister also features Jorgen Carlsson on bass and Arty Dillon plays guitar. 

Monsters and Heroes features the vocals of Paul Shortino (King Kobra, Rough Cutt) and Mick Sweda (King Kobra/Bulletboys) on guitar. This song is a tribute to Dio and the lyrics reflect the imagery Dio conveyed in his songs.

Killing Floor features the vocals of Chas West (Lynch Mob). Craig Goldy (Dio) plays guitar and Tony Franklin (The Firm) plays bass. Killing Floor has a 70's bluesy, boogie-based sound much like Led Zeppelin. Chas West sounds just like Robert Plant on this one. The mesmerizing groove at the end is expertly punctuated by the drums.

Danger features Jim Crean on vocals and Phil Soussan plays bass. The song features a hard-driving mix of amazing guitar playing, reminiscent of Van Halen/Steve Vai, and powerful percussion along with an pulsating melody. Jim Crean and Phil Soussan take turns soaring above the melodic and musical twists and turns of Danger.

Drum Wars features the Appice brothers on vocals and drums. Drum Wars is really a rock percussionists' wet dream. The Appice brothers give a clinic on how to play rock and roll drums, the Appice brothers version of Moby Dick. 

Riot is a cover of a Blue Murder song and features Jorgen Carlsson on bass. The lyrical content reflects events of recent times and the wah wah guitar playing on this song is amazing.

Suddenly features Robin McAuley (MSG) on vocals and Tony Franklin on bass. The Appice brothers take a unique approach for the drum tracks, alternating takes. Most of the other tracks are in stereo with Vinny on the left side and Carmine on the right side. 

In The Night features Jim Crean on vocals and Ron Bumblefoot on guitar. This song is heavy on melody with a 80's mid tempo groove.  

Future Past features newcomer, Scotty Bruce, on lead vocals, Craig Goldy on guitar/keyboards and Tony Franklin on bass.

You Got Me Running features Tony Franklin on bass and Carmine Appice on lead vocals and organ.

Bros. In Drums features the Appice brothers revealing their love of percussion in a song, as brothers and performers. Tony Franklin kills it on bass.

War Cry features the vocals of Paul Shortino. Paul delivers an aggressive performance full of metal angst. Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake) plays guitar and Tony Franklin supplies the low end.

Sabbath Mash is just what the title implies, a combo of some of the best Black Sabbath songs of all time. Jim Crean sings War Pigs and the song moves into Paranoid. After a brief guitar solo by Erik Turner (Warrant) the keyboards take over in a very Deep Purplesque section. The jam at the end of War Pigs takes the song out. 

          

This review is dedicated to the memory of Rich Brown.