Tremonti is set to release their sixth album, “The End Will Show Us How”, on the 10th of January and as you would expect it is perfection personified.
The opening track “The Mother, The Earth and I” sets the tone for the album with its heavy undertones that mesh well with the groove-laden riffs and Tremonti’s vocals, which seem to get better with each passing album, the rhythm is unreal as Bennett and Keegan combine to create the aforementioned heaviness to great effect. The blistering thrash style start to “One More Time” is a nice touch before Tremonti’s silky vocals come in over the top but you cannot escape the barrage of Bennett’s drumming, its relentless and underpins the whole track but it pales in comparison to Tremonti’s savage solo as he lets rip, this is one of the best tracks on the album. “Just Too Much” brings the heavy big time with slower down-tuned guitars and a hefty bass line that reverberates through your brain, Tremonti’s vocals are class, and his harmonies and tone are out of this world, nearly as good as he can shred and that he does toward the end of the track with a killer solo, another cracking tune. “Nails” continues the trend but this is heavy as fuck with the band all combining to kick ass, Tremonti drops deeper vocally to match the heaviness of the song, and crunching riff and a crushing rhythm make this my favourite and Tremonti’s ripper solo is just the cherry on top.
“It’s Not Over” is the first of the “ballad” style tracks that have become synonymous with Tremonti’s other bands, namely Creed and Alter Bridge, but this is on a different level; the dulcet tones of the man himself are amazing and combine unbelievably with the softly strummed guitars and the subtle drum/bass combos, yes there are peaks and troughs, a rousing crescendo and a monster solo that make this an instant classic but it is the ability to pull on the heartstrings while packing a punch is something uniquely Mark Tremonti, sheer excellence. Title track “The End Will Show Us How” is a brooding number that has Tremonti pushing the envelope with his vocals a little more mixing high and low ranges perfectly, the track lulls you with a feeling of restraint on each instrument before it blows up midway as each member shines through; the drums and bass set a killer rhythm as the guitars come to the fore with some great riffs and a couple of short burst solos that are out of this world, another killer track. Built on a thumping bassline “Tomorrow We Will Fail” has a funky vibe to it with echoey vocals, a groovy beat and still managing to be heavy as hell; once the drums come crashing in over the top it changes the dynamic of the track, add in some killer riffs and you have a searing track. “I’ll Take My Chances” is a galloping thrashy number with gnarly riffs, blistering drumming a thunderous bassline and a stonking track oh not to mention the savage solo as the track closes.
“The Bottom” is a cracking track with a mixture of styles, a bit of grunge some prog and speed metal; it opens with a slowly strummed guitar and thumping bass before the pace picks up and the drums come in which turn has Tremonti pushing it a bit with the vocals too, there is a serious groove to the rhythm which stays even when the heavier side kicks in, a complex track but one that will stick with you. “Live In Fear” is a straight-up killer; opening with a hefty bass and drum combo that are ever present throughout and backed up by savage riffs even Tremonti’s vocals feel edgier as there is a harsher sound to them, once again he shows his prowess with a scintillating solo near the end of another outstanding track. The bass lead “Now That I’ve Made It” is an absolute monster of a track not for heaviness or power but just pure genius, Tremonti’s vocals are at their utmost on this track while the guitars seem to be on the same wavelength as they are in harmony with him as they soar together, absolutely stunning, while the rest of the band seem to meld together, this is for my money they best track on the album, simply amazing.
“All The Wicked Things” closes out the album with a prog feel of synths and electro beats at the start with Tremonti’s spoken style vocals before it explodes in a flurry of drums with a stomping bassline, cutting riffs and a short solo, there is a longer one at the back end of the track where Tremonti slays, the bouncing rhythm of the track is trance like any makes the track, a fitting end to what will no doubt be one of the best albums of the year.
Review: Conor
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Tremonti are:
Mark Tremonti Vocals, lead guitar
Eric Friedman Rhythm guitar
Ryan Bennett Drums
Tanner Keegan Bass