New Metal Leader

Ross The Boss | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 22, 2008
• Label: AFM Records
• Copyright: 2008 AFM Records GmbH
• Total Length: 48:17
• Genres:
• ASIN: B001EV0U2W
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars - Ross the Boss is back in a metal state of mind, July 24, 2009

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Metal Leader (Audio CD)

One thing you can never accuse guitarist Ross the Boss of is a lack of versatility. His previous work has been all over the map, from the Dictators' punk/metal sound to the classic true metal of Manowar and even the straightforward AOR project Heyday. The guy must have been itching for a return to the classic metal sound, because for his newest venture - conveniently titled Ross the Boss - he hooked up with ¾ of German Manowar cover band Men of War to record the unquestionably metal New Metal Leader.

New Metal Leader is one of those albums where the cover artwork tells you everything you need to know about the album. One look at that giant war eagle clutching a battle hammer and screaming (for vengeance, presumably) and I knew a true metal feast awaits within. Ross the Boss and his new crew attack these Judas Priest inspired songs with zeal, blazing away with the fierce "Blood of Knives" the second the obligatory instrumental introduction ends. From there until the closing "Immortal Son", it's all metal, all the time, bringing to mind Running Wild, Sinner, Saxon, and of course Manowar. Highlights include "Plague of Lies", "We Will Kill", and the ultra melodic call to arms "May the Gods Be With You". The songs are fairly predictable, and the lyrics are fairly cheesy, but that's more or less what makes this kind of retro metal album so reassuring and enjoyable. Ross the Boss's guitar work is the main attraction of New Metal Leader, and his guitar heroics go a long way towards offsetting a competent but less than stellar vocal performance by Patrick Fuchs.

I get the impression that New Metal Leader is an album intended for older metal fans who are frustrated about the hyper-compartmentalization in metal. Fans that couldn't care less about progressive metal, gothic metal, symphonic black metal or whatever the latest genre is, and just want a good solid heavy metal album. If you fall in that category, then by all means pick up a copy of New Metal Leader. If you're a Manowar fan disappointed by that band's post-Ross the Boss offerings, New Metal Leader will give you plenty of reasons to raise your fists for metal.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very decent album by Ross Friedman, September 30, 2009

By 

M. Fonseca "carmarthen" (Thunder) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Metal Leader (Audio CD)

This was a pleasant surprise. This album is metal to the bone, but a lot less cliched than some Manowar material and, in many cases, also a let less annoying.

Sure, there's no groundbreaking guitar solos, stunning vocals or magical arrangements here, but thing work as a well oiled machine; after all, experience in composing and recording metal is somethin Ross has in spades!

A good job, maybe the first of many. Keep on!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hell of a guitar player, March 8, 2009

By 

Mr. Zaremba "Mr. Zaremba" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Metal Leader (Audio CD)

Killer guitar work as we've come to expect from RTB, whether it's with the Dictators, on old Manowar records, or with the Brain Surgeons. Lots of the songs are reminiscent of Manowar, and why not? RTB pioneered that style as the guitarist and co-songwriter on the first six Manowar albums. The guitar playing and the production are the most satisfying elements of this CD; the songwriting (especially the lyrics) and vocals are the least satisfying. Interestingly, several members and ex-members of Manowar are thanked in the credits, but the names Joey DeMaio and Eric Adams are nowhere to be seen. Bottom Line: Ross the Boss still tears it up like nobody else when he straps on a guitar. This CD is the proof.