Customer Reviews

Crunch / Screaming Symphony

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

 

 

Two very good cd's re-released on 1 cd . There is some fantastic guitar playing here . I'm not crazy about the vocals , I like the stuff he (Impellitteri) recorded with Graham Bonnet singing much much better .But musically it is a very good cd .

And the beat goes on. With the aptly-titled 'Crunch,' Impellitteri has released its heaviest and nastiest set of tunes yet. The drums are faster, the riffing is no-holds-barred, and the distortion is thick, blistering, and raw. The band still manages to imprint its patented melodic style, though, and continues to reign atop the power/melody world. Guitarist Chris Impellitteri shows no signs of slowing or mellowing out, and remains the benchmark against which all other shredders are judged. The fast and cutting opener "Beware of the Devil" is nonstop from the beginning, and "Turn of the Century" is ultra-tight, and features some great and yearning Rob Rock vocals in the verse sections. A high-flying chorus marks "Speed Demon," and "Slay the Dragon" has a heavy-handed chorus flow. The riff-ripping pace of "Wake Me Up" features a host of brutal cuts, and top spot "Fear No Evil" mixes nasty chugs, ripping notes, and a full-throttle chorus. "Wasted Earth" is yet another heavy staple, as it drips with aggressive emotion. Two instrumental pieces show up, as "Spanish Fire" is total fast-fretting, and "Texas Nuclear Boogie" is a Satch-like, free-spirited romp. "Forever Yours," the lone unplugged track, is still nice and smooth. Impellitteri continues to awe, and the blasphemy that is the U.S. music scene has never been more apparent. The fact that this band is unknown to 95% of metal fans over here is a sad, sad fact in today's metal community.

This is Impelliteri at his best. A heavy progressive sound that should be heard in the USA.
If this album got U.S. airplay, it would have been a hit. You also get the album "Screaming Symphony" as a bonus disc.

I heard about Impellitteri for the first time while reviewing lists over the alleged fastest shredders in the world where Chris Impellitteri was number two, just before the famous Yngwie Malmsteen (one of my favourite guitarists). Impellitteri's music reminds me a little about Racer X only heavier and more metal sounding. The vocals are also heaps better despite the fact I really like Racer X as well. This album comprises two albums by Impellitteri, Crunch and Screaming Symphony. Both have wicked guitar and plenty of variety, especially Crunch. The two best songs were the two instrumentals Spanish Fire and the legendary 17th Century Chicken Pickin' (what can I say, I'm a sucker for instrumental shred). Crunch was overall my favourite album of the two but Father Forgive Them and Walk Away from Screaming Symphony had the best solo and vocals respectively. I'll definitely be getting a hold of the entire canon of this amazing band before long. Rock on!

This disc has great power. It's sort of a combination of neoclassical, power, and thrash metal with a super excellent guitarist. The song "17th Century Chicken Pickin" is one of my favorite shred instrumentals. Only downside is that sometimes some of the songs start to sound the same (can't hink off hand, but the opening riff to "speed demon" can be heard in about 4 other songs) a good disc for those interested in shred and metal.

I don't think Crunch is as good as Screaming Symphony,but what the heck.

Chris's guitar shredding is second to none, and Rob Rock's vocals are awesome. Its a shame that he has left Impellitteri to pursue a solo career.

An absolute must-buy combination, and its great to see bands still playing no-compromise, heavy, crunching, guitar driven music like this

I haven't listened to Impellitteri since "Stand In Line". (due to Graham Bonnet's departure)Guess I've missed out! At first listen, "Crunch" is a well crafted disc that begs to be heard by the masses. Rob Rock's vocal range is quite good, though I'd like to hear him belt it out a bit more. (scream for me!)All the guitar riffs are fresh and don't suffer from what I like to call "Malmsteen syndrome". (too much soloing) Since you get both "Crunch" and "Screaming Symphony" for one price, its an offer you shouldn't refuse. I'll add to this review or start another after listening to "Screaming Symphony".

I stumbled across this band purely by accident (like I do with many, I'm happy to say) :D and I was totally blown away by the power displayed by this band. This was a breath of fresh air from Malmsteen and the like, the vocals are killer, the guitar shredding makes me scream (not literally) with delight at its creativity and power. The song writing is very good too.

Santana can die. Chris shreds him to pieces (ha!)

Also, if u like this and u like thrash metal with great soloing, you may possibly like Vengeance Rising.

I end saying that I must needs put this group on my list of CDs- to-buy, (I'm listening to them on ...). Oh that reminds me. ... is the only way I buy CDs now. No pre-listen, no buy!! And there are many more like me that I know of, so to all u peeps who think ... is bad and loses artists money, think again! It probably ends up gaining them MORE money! In an official pole, like at least 60% of a thousand or more of ppl poled said they'd buy the CD.

What you really need to look at to deter ppl from abusing Napster, is the car audio CD/MP3 players that are out, which allow ppl to take their MP3s with them. Those will be the real culprits! Not ...!