Razor Wire Shrine - Going Deaf For A Living

Year of Release: 2004
Label: PMM Music
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 45:34:00

Chris and Brett Rodler have a history together, when it comes to music, as they played together in several bands, such as RH Factor and Leger de Main, that got raving reviews. A few years ago, they recorded a prog-rock concept album with piano player / singer Gratto and even more recently they recorded an album with Mythologic. Some of these bands are without and some are with a singer Melissa Rodler ... what do you know?). Honestly said, I am not familiar with all of these bands. Now they have started another project: Razor Wire Shrine (RWS) and this is my first meeting with the music of the Rodler brothers.

Going Deaf For A Living, a title that could easily fit a blasting metal album, is the title of their debut album with RWS, and is entirely instrumental. Chris is handling rhythm and bass guitar, while Brett plays the drums. They have invited Chris Ohm to play some solos on the album. Given their history, I had some high expectations, but the album did not turn out what I had hoped for.

The all-instrumental album is filled with seven tracks of guitar driven rock, with a lot of soloing and definitely some shredding parts. No doubt these guys can play their guitars. But songwise I find the album a bit boring and cannot keep my attention for long. Also the sound is very consistent and I don't hear much variation in the compositions. To me it sounds like one long track. At times I hear some Satriani in the music, but mainly it does stand on its own feet, which is good. And they have managed to include a few lengthy tracks even: "Architecture For The Tortured Soul" clocks 8:28 and "To Strike A Personal Chord" clocks 8:20, the latter being one the songs I like most on the album, as it is more laid back.

Whether or not RWS is here to stay is uncertain. Fact is, over the years the Rodler brothers have shown their versatility to the world and it's up to you to determine what you like. Despite the obvious good musician ship and the great production, the songs do nothing for me and can't keep my attention. See if you can listen to some samples before you buy this one, to see if they manage to do something for you.

[This review originally appeared August 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Shards (6:26) / Crackling Dementia (6:04) / Architecture For The Tortured Soul (8:28) / Thought Residue (6:06) / To Strike A Personal Chord (8:20) / All Shades Of Bitter (5:57) / World Of Hurt (4:18)

Musicians:
Brett Rodler - drums
Chris Rodler - guitars, bass
Mike Ohm - lead guitar solos

Discography:
Going Deaf For A Living (2004)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: November 28th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.pmm-music.net
Hits: 1994
Language: english