F5 - A Drug For All Seasons


Year of Release: 2005
Label: Dead Line Music
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 38:53:00

I feel guilty about not reviewing this album several weeks ago; it totally rocks from start to finish. F5 is one killer, kick ass unit. On their debut release A Drug For All Seasons, they show why they could easily be one of top selling acts in the world in 2006. I know they have not broken big yet but just wait, they will.

Dave Ellefson had one thing to do after leaving Megadeth, start another band, and one that rivaled if not surpassed his long time gig. I think this band leaves Megadeth in the dust. Do not get me wrong, I love Megadeth, but they are living off their past work right now more than anything released recently.

They call this abrasive rock, and while it is, there is an incredible melodic sensibility running throughout this album. I know that is the very reason why I cannot seem to get this CD out of my stereo and why it has taken me so long to get off my arse and write about it!

If you like to get the adrenaline pumping into your heart a mile a minute then this is the album for you. When "Faded" kicks in to open the album, you know that one raucous ride is in store, it sets the stage. What starts with the lead off track is continued non-stop until the disc stops spinning. Ellefson put together one potent unit before going into the studio and his judge of talent, besides being one talented musician, is obviously his strength. Everyone in the band, with the exception of the lead singer Dale Steele, is a multi-tasker with technical dexterity and high degree of professionalism. Steele does enough though, giving his vocal cords a major workout. He does not scream or growl, he grabs hold of a song and owns it with passion. His style is down-in-the-gutter rockin' tough and a perfect fit for the music behind him. Ellefson (who also plays some rhythm guitar) and drummer Dave Small, form a powerhouse rhythm section while John Davis and Steve Conley share the lead and rhythm guitar chores on electric and acoustic, plus Conley plays a mean ass sitar. When you put all of this together, the music most certainly is A Drug For All Seasons. The opener "Faded," the title track, and "Hold Me Down," are my picks for the most energizing and inexhaustible rockers. I do have to say that I loved every track though, even the remake of "What I Am" was hard to ignore, somehow Eddie Brickell and New Bohemians are nothing more than a faded memory 1 minute into the song.

This music gets in your face, kicks you in the pants, and makes you jump out of your chair and start bouncing off the walls. Be careful not to make your living room a mosh pit, but do enjoy it just the same. This may be a sleeper for late 2005 but wait until everyone starts getting turned on to these guys, watch out Godsmack and all the rest of you big time metal bands, there is a veteran rocker coming to your town to blow the roof of your concert venue with a young and vibrant band. This pulsating and vital music machine is ready to realize its destiny now!


Tracklisting:
Faded (3:13) / Dissidence (2:32) / Fall To Me (3:33) / A Drug For All Seasons (2:31) / Bleeding (3:25) / What I Am (3:50) / Dying On The Vine (3:08) / Hold Me Down (3:02) / Defacing (2:29) / X'd Out (2:36) / Look You In The Eyes (4:47) / Forte Sonata (3:47) / First Cut - In the Studio with F5 [*/multimedia track]

Musicians:
Dave Elllefson -string bass guitars, rhythm guitars
John Davis -rhythm, lead & acoustic guitars
Dale Steele - lead vocals
Steve Conley - lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars, sitar
Dave Small - drums & percussion

Discography:
A Drug For All Seasons (2005)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: November 29th 2005
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.f5theband.com
Hits: 3150
Language: english

  

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