Charred Walls of the Damned (W/Dvd)

Charred Walls of the Damned (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 2, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Metal Blade
• ASIN: B002YCGKVU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,181 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2010 debut from this all-star Metal project led by Richard Christy, formerly the drummer for Death and Iced Earth. Charred Walls of the Damned features some of the most talented musicians in the world of Metal. Included in this musical collective is famed producer, Jason Suecof, Tim `Ripper' Owens and Steve Digiorgio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Killer Cutting Edge Metal!, February 3, 2010

By 

MetalMarc (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Charred Walls of the Damned (W/Dvd) (Audio CD)

Wow, I must say that I am very impressed by this album! This is very refreshing cutting edge stuff that all Nevermore fans like myself should find to their liking. I know Richard Christy is a very highly regarded drummer from his time in Death, Control Denied, and Iced Earth and he proves he is still on top of his game here! However I didn't know he was such a good song writer and in tune with the cutting edge type metal on display here? Especially being better known now for his day job as an on air prankster! Which honestly I have never heard him on air not being a fan of the Stern show personaly.

The music style can best be described as a mix between Nevermore, Communic, Iced Earth, Control Denied, and Death. What I really like about this album is it mixes a lot of extreme cutting edge metal elements with the more melodic and traditional. This is especially great to hear with clean vocals instead of death growls! Of course it takes a certain type of vocalist to pull this off and Ripper Owens was the perfect choice for this as he fits the music extremely well. In fact this just might be the best and most inspired performance I have ever heard from him!

Yet the biggest surprise of the album is the very impressive guitar playing of Jason Suecof! Better known as a producer, Suecof lays down some extremely tight and intricate riffing topped off by tons of absolutely shreding yet tasteful solos! I am talking Jeff Loomis league stuff here and I don't say that lightly. This project was obviously a great way for this guy to get out from behind the mixing board and showcase his talents as one of metals elite guitarists! Who would have known?

Ironically my only minor complaint with the album is the production. Overall it is good yes, but the guitar sound is a bit too high on the treble and mids whist lacking a bit of bottom end. Also the bass guitar is barely even audible? Quite surprising when you consider they have recruited another highly reguarded musician on bass in Steve Digiorgio? Seems like they would want to utilize his skills as an asset as well? Unfortunately his great bass skills can not be heard here.

Overall though this is a great album that will appeal to fans of intelligent cutting edge metal with fresh ideas and top notch musicianship! Hopefully we will here more from these guys in the near future!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was expecting silliness. There is egg on my face., February 8, 2010

By 

T. Reid "Very Critical" (NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Charred Walls of the Damned (W/Dvd) (Audio CD)

I listen to Howard Stern every day and they have been talking about this for awhile. It's Richard..LOL, C'mon. The guy comes off as a complete clown on the show. I was not interested in this because I thought it was going to be Richard being silly. When I heard he wrote all the lyrics I was double not interested. Richard writing lyrics? What, how he likes to make phony phone calls and advocate bad hygiene?...LOL. Then Howard played some of it and Richard insisted on playing it until the hook. The song was "Voices Within the Walls" and I was hooked. There is nothing silly about this album whatsoever. This thing rocks. Owens is great, Richard is great, Jason Suecof is excellent and Steve DiGiorgio is great. Richard, as it turns out, is a very good lyric writer. I was very impressed with him and what he did here. If you don't know it's Thrash/metal with clean vocals. Sorry Richard. I will never doubt you again when it comes to music. This is very good. Richard's drumming will blow you away. Production could be a little better but I'm buying it anyway. Don't let Richard's antics on the show derail you from buying this album like I did. It seems he knows what he is doing. Again, sorry Richard.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Talented Mr. Christy, February 2, 2010

By 

Eric P. Sandberg "Guitar Lord" (Diamond Bar, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Charred Walls of the Damned (W/Dvd) (Audio CD)

I grew up listening to early Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, etc. but I eventually moved into Beatles, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson territory and never developed a taste for "Speed" or "Death Metal". I am, however, a longtime Howard Stern listener and a fan of Richard Christy's antics. His prank call with the triple-tracked voice inquiring about three different items at the same time makes me so happy, I put it on my Ipod.

As a fan, I supported Richard by downloading the first single and today I drove 20 miles to the nearest FYE (the only retailer stocking it) to buy a copy. After listening, I can only say that Richard Christy is not only a comic genius and an amazing drummer, but he is a gifted songwriter as well. I was pleasantly surprised at the melodicism and complexity of these numbers. That he was able to accomplish the writing and recording of such a quality collection of tunes, while also holding down a demanding full-time job, drinking like a fish and fighting gout, is truly amazing. No wonder he doesn't have time to shower or brush his teeth.