PANDEMIC - Angry Sky

dbAggressive Records/Dreamscape Music Group

Posted: 6/11/02

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Modern Hard Rock

Released: 2002

Label URL: www.dreamscape-group.com

Artist URL: www.pandemicmusic.com

1/2

During the eight years that Metal Dreams has existed, I have rarely embraced a new band. I have either given a new act a middle of the road review or simply torn them to pieces. More specifically, I haven't been impressed with bands that have modern overtones. Why? Well, I honestly don't believe that the new acts that have come out in the last ten years are anywhere near as professional as those that arrived on the scene prior to 1992. Blame it on the ease of home recording or blame it on society's general acceptance of sub-par musicians, but either way fresh bands with fresh ideas are few and far between.

Pandemic may be the first band with a modern edge that has completely pulled me in. The band's creativity is credited to the songwriting team of Erik Deitz (guitar) and Tim Kopp, the most impressive vocalist in the underground. These guys have come up with twelve distinct songs that will make fans of Alice In Chains and Saigon Kick drool with delight. Deitz nearly always has a memorable riff, and his short but bright leads prove that soloing is a necessity in today's music, despite what all these no-name bands think. Interestingly, Deitz's leads and rhythms are complete opposites. For instance, the rhythms found in "Out Of Time" are dark and menacing, while his leads are bright and airy, and this combination is what makes Pandemic's music so interesting. Kopp's melodic vocals take the band to the next level. Few bands possess a singer with a varied and emotional delivery of this magnitude. Bassist Jim Sheehan and drummer Sam Torres, who create a nice foundation, round out the group.

Pandemic has two definite scorchers in "Glitter" and "Angry Sky" that just make you want to get out of your seat and do some damage. My only complaint is that I would like a few more of these on the disc because they're so damn good at writing material like this. The dark acoustic "Best Of Me" is very reminiscent of Alice In Chains' "I Stay Away," while "Thy Majesty" is an interesting tribute of sorts to Dream Theater, touching on several of Theater's album titles in the lyrics.

The Bloody Truth: Pandemic needs to be heard by the masses. "The Pain I See," "Well Of Souls," and "Best Of Me" would be huge on modern rock radio. Unlike most modern bands, Pandemic fuses the down-tuning and darkness of today with the melody of yesterday, paying tribute to both schools of thought. Most importantly, they understand what the hell a chorus is! Props to them. This is the way it should be done. Take a moment to download some song clips from their website. This band deserves your time.