WET ANIMAL - Wet Animal

Posted: 4/18/06

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal

Released: 2005

Label URL: www.escapimusic.com

Artist URL:

Wet Animal features Rick Wartell, best known as one-half of Trouble's axe-team.  Prior to this release, the band also featured Trouble bassist Ron Holzner, but something went wrong and Holzner was replaced (as was his drummer brother).

Within about thirty seconds I was able to pin down the band's sound.  Vocalist Shane Pasqualla (who also plays guitar) sounds exactly like Layne Staley, the now deceased vocalist of Alice In Chains.  Wartell's guitar style transitions between the Trouble/Sabbath vibe that he's known for and a bit more of a grunge/alternative/spacey vibe ("Nomads Land"), but either way the Alice In Chains comparisons are there.

The production quality of this nine-song release is a somewhat muddy, but the songs are all strong,  vocally, hookwise, and instrumentally.

The Bloody Truth: If you are an Alice In Chains fan, check this out.  Trouble fans will probably be interested but be warned, the songs are more varied and less bottom heavy than Trouble's tunes.