CD Review: Gun Barrel - Brace For Impact

Written by Colin McNamara Thursday, 03 May 2012 15:26

Artist: Gun Barrel
Title: Brace For Impact
Genre: Power/ Heavy Metal
Release Date: 23rd March 2012
Label: Massacre Records

Album Review

German Heavy Metal group GUN BARREL return with their fifth studio album to date. ‘Brace For Impact’ is a seamless blend of Power and Heavy Metal that will suit most fans of either genre quite well. From opening ‘No Survival On Arrival’, the album builds up with powerful anthems that hit hard and with melody. Rather than go the power driving, hard chugging route, tracks like ‘Dancing On Torpedoes’ go the more progressive route, touching on influences from SYMPHONY X all the way to MANOWAR without touching too much on the “operatic vocal side”. The drums are certainly the centre of attention with their thunderous sound only beaten out by the razor sharp solos.

On some tracks, GUN BARREL take the slower route, such as with ‘Turbolence & Decadence’. Here the music will remind fans more of the slower, more romantic bits of Heavy Metal/ Hard Rock in the vein of groups such as DEF LEPPARD, but with better produced vocals and a bigger use of backing vocals. The solos are a bit morose but still work quite well overall for the group’s sound while remaining progressive. Overall, despite this album being the longest wait for fans to enjoy, whereas other albums have been released in two to three years, ‘Brace For Impact’ hits hard emotionally and musically in a way that will keep listeners who have followed GUN BARREL this far quite happy. New fans might take some getting used to their style, but it is easily accessible and quite “middle of the road”, not being too harsh or too soft.


Tracklist

01. No Survival On Arrival - 1:08
02. Brace For Impact - 4:42
03. Dancing On Torpedoes - 4:19
04. Books Of Live - 3:45
05. Start A Riot - 4:47
06. Stand Your Ground - 4:50
07. Diamond Bullets - 4:19
08. With Might And Main - 4:11
09. The Wild Hunt - 4:44
10. Turbölence & Decadence - 4:52
11. Big Taboo - 5:51


Line-up

Tom Kintgen- Bass
Toni Pinciroli- Drums
Rolf Tanzius- Guitars
Patrick Sühl- Vocals


Website

http://www.gunbarrel.de/


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 7
Sound: 7
Total: 7 / 10


Buy the album here!