Customer Reviews

Blood & Bullets

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

1992's Blood and Bullets was the debut album from Widowmaker, which featured former Twisted Sister vocalist Dee Snider and guitarist Al Pitrelli (ex-Savatage, ex-Megadeth, Trans-Siberian Orchestra).

Despite Twisted Sister's role in developing the hard rock sound of the 1980's, by the early 90's they were seen as a novelty act at best. Widowmaker was Dee Snider's chance to showcase his vocals and songwriting without the silly trappings of his former band, and he did an impressive job. Widowmaker had a very heavy, but still melodic, hard rock sound similar to Slave to the Grind era Skid Row. It's definitely not what you'd typically consider a hair metal album, which is probably just what Snider intended. Sinder's voice is in great shape here, and Pitrelli is no slouch either.

If you're a Twisted Sister fan, you're definitely going to want to check out Blood and Bullets. This kind of album should have put Snider back on the scene in a big way, but the changing musical landscape in the 1990's made Widowmaker's days numbered. The band released a heavier, less melodic follow up album (1994's Standby for Pain) before calling it quits.

I remember an advertisement for Widowmaker and this debut album. It read: "The return of a legend... The creation of a monster." That was an excellent way to describe this project. Too bad it was short lived. They had one follow up and they were gone. This album delivers. Especially at the time considering the shift in the music scene via radio and mTV. I am not sure how many songs are from Dee's aborted Desporado project. Here is a line up:

1)Emaheevul- Steady rocker and strong opener.
2)The Widowmaker- One of the best of the album and a great theme song for the band.
3)Evil- I believe this is a cover of an old blues song but it rocks..
4)The Lonely Ones- This could have been right off a Twisted Sister album. A song about "us against them" and another good rocker.
5)Reason To Kill- A dark song about revenge(I read it had to do with Dee's past treatment by Atlantic records). It is a heavy slower song, and it packs a punch.
6)Snot Nose Kid- Definitely a fast rocker with a chorus that will stick with you.
7)Blood And Bullets- Title track- Awesome, powerhouse song.
8)Gone Bad- Not too bad. It doesn't seem to stand out.
9)Blue For You- First ballad. Not a typical one. Has a real bluesy sound and feel.
10)You're A Heartbreaker- Descent rocker.
11)Calling For You- Power ballad. Another time this would have been a Top 40 song easily.
12)We Are The Dead- A good closer.

This is not a Twisted Sister record. You will pick that up off the first listen. The sound is different, the content is different, and the overall feel is that of a new band. It is a quality hard rock album. Even though it was originally on a small label(I think it is defunct now) the production quality is excellent. This was also a talented group of musicians, Al Pitrelli smokes on the guitar. Marc Russell and Joey "Seven" Franco provide great bass lines and pounding drums. It is such a shame this band did not get the recognition they deserved. They made two (the follow up was called 'Stand By For Pain') solid rock/metal albums. If they could have held on for a few more years when the big resurgence of hard rock came about in the late nineties it may have helped them keep it together.

A Great singer/song writer that found his niche.First with "Twisted Sister",Then the "Desperado" project, and then his
solo "Never Let The Bastards Wear You Down". Then I was on
LastFM and look Dee Snyder up,and discovered the "WIDOWMARKER"
project. "Blood & Bullets" came highly recommended and I HIGHLY
recommend it TOO! Thanks

One of my Favorites records (ok, Tapes) Genius, Genius, Genius! Dee Snider doesn't the credit for the music he brought to "we the people" True Fans of Dee and his workx (i.e. TS, WM, and his solo work). Calling for You - "nothing else matters" perfect Power Ballad. Yes it competes, with all of the best (Skid Row's, Warrant's, Motley's, and Poison's)...and Blood and Bullets, OMFG!! Talk about getting punched in the face through your bunghole! This song slams you harder than a Ron Jeremy flick! If you're a hard rock fan and don't own this record, tape, cd....then OMG you are no fan of Rock. Twisted Sisted is foreplay compared to this record! This record is to be put on ten 24/7. Or if you have neighbors that piss you off and you wanna get back at them AND ENJOY music while doing it...This Record will do that 10X OVER!

Dee Snider takes his songwriting to another level with Widowmaker. While Twisted Sister leans more towards anthem rock, Widowmaker takes more chances & for the most part, it pays off.
While, "The Widowmaker" is hard, heavy & begs to be played loud, "Blue for you" is subtle, "late night" smoky blues.
Any Dee Snider fan should have this disc.

After the demise of Twisted Sister came this outing by Dee Snider. This album I feel was largely overlooked. It has a more straightforward hard rock feel with some blues mixed in than that of the final "Love is for suckers" album by Twisted Sister.
The music laid down by Al Pitrelli and co. is sonically harmonious to Dee's vocal style so it fits very well. If I were to recommend to you an album by Widowmaker, it would have to be Blood and Bullets. Stand By For Pain is a little heavier and darker, but I think the band had their sound nailed with this one and should have left well enough alone.

There is a couple of songs here that I won't listen to on a regular basis. But most of the songs on this CD are solid. Dee sounds as good as ever and the supporting cast are well up to par.

Don't DEETOUR around this album.

Joe Franco's drums are the highlight of this record for me. Joe played on Twisted Sister's last studio effort "Love is for Suckers," and has recorded with several other bands, including a great instrumental CD with guitarist Blues Saraceno. But I digress...

There's nothing revolutionary on this disc, but there's some solid playing from Joe and guitarist Al Pitrelli (who went on to play with Megadeth). Dee Snider sounds pretty much like he always does.

At the end of the day what you have here is a disc that sounds like Twisted Sister with some better musicians and a couple of ballads.

Dee takes metal to a new level all over again, play it loud!

Track Title
1. Emaheevul
2. The Widowmaker
3. Evil
4. The Lonely Ones
5. Reason To Kill
6. Snot Nose Kid
7. Blood And Bullets (Pissin' Against The Wind)
8. Gone Bad
9. Blue For You
10. You're A Heartbreaker
11. Calling For You
12. We Are The Dead