Cry Havoc - Fuel That Feeds The Fire
	Released: 2002 Label: Chavis Cat. No.: CR0003 Total Time: 54:41
	Reviewed by: Bjørnar Bevolden, December 2002 I remember reading about this Scottish band years ago in that they were about to release their debut album. Nothing happened and I actually thought they had disbanded. Boy was I wrong, because after several years of struggling with record companies and member replacements the band finally fulfilled the dream of releasing their first fullblown CD. As of this album, the band features: Steve Durrand (v/g), Graham McLeod (lead guitar), Paul Logue (b), Davey Harkness (d) and Jimmy Johnstone (rhythm guitar). It's quite interesting seing a band from Glasgow, Scotland, doing melodic rock, as that is pretty rare these days. Heck, melodic rock from Britain in general is pretty rare and often of variable quality. Cry Havoc is one of those bands that just as easily could show up on the MTM, Frontiers, Now & Then or the Escape rosters, but instead they were picked up by American based Chavis Records. Their sound is firmly based in the 80s melodic hard rock style with heavy, catchy guitars and multi-layered vocals. Actually, their music has plenty of balls mostly due to the very present and fierce guitar work, which should please both hard rock and metal fans. Vocalist Durrand has a good, clean, mid-ranged voice and delivers a creditable performance. The material seems very well worked through, with hooks that immediately grab you, melody-lines, bridges and choruses that are both accessible and memorable. Their music is clinically free from technical braveries and innovation, but they certainly posess the quality, credibility and attitude which makes them one of the best acts to come out of the UK in quite some time. Although most songs have an up-beat metallic sound to them, the band also know how to please the AOR crowd with a few more melodic-based songs. Even the ballad "I Need You" works for them without getting smeary. The quality of the songs range from good to great and with no weak songs yet I do miss just a couple more great tracks just to separate them from other bands in the genre. The production by Rico and Cry Havoc is raw and edgy, well balanced and with both depth and punch. Cry Havoc is a nice little surprise and I sincerely hope the band has gotten rid of their bad luck and that things will go upwards for them from now on. This album is well worth getting for hard rock and melodic metal fans. Whilst it's not a must have it is definitely a strong album that should win any fan of the genre over. And on top of it all they are putting Scotland back on the musical map. Similar bands: Jaded Heart, Dokken, Harem Scarem PPO Rating: 6/10 [This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.] More about Fuel That Feeds The Fire: Track Listing: Cry For Help / Forever Once Again / Rescue Me / Holding On To Your Dreams / No Way Out / Better Coming / I Need You / Long Way To Heaven / Paying The Price / Heart On My Sleeve / Fuel That Feeds The Fire Musicians: Stevie Durrand - vocals, guitar Graham McLeod - lead guitar Paul Logue - bass, vocals Davey Harkness - drums, vocals Contact: Website: www.cry-havoc.co.uk/ Note: will open new browser window Discography Fuel That Feeds The Fire (2002)
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