Monte Pittman is an interesting dude. Not only is he an amazing guitar virtuoso and session musician in his own right he’s also played with thrashers Prong and taught Madonna how to play Pantera tunes, much to the disgust of metal elitists everywhere.
The Power of Three is the thirds solo release from Pittman and its a being touted as a real return to his metal roots. While I agree the album is definitely heavy its more of a collection of tracks that are range from alt rock to full blown death metal.
The album kicks of with the track “A Dark Horse” which starts of with a galloping riff but then changes into a real almost Alice in Chains style groove with Pittman’s vocals style being very reminiscent of Layne Staley himself or even how Jerry Cantrell sounds on his solo albums
the next track “Delusions of Grandeur” continues in the same sound. Most of the album has this interesting cross of modern thrash metal style galloping riffs like you’d expect for a track from Metallica post Death Magnetic but with a layer of 90s style metal groove and a tint of grunge over the top like I mentioned with the Alice In Chains comparison. There’s definitely echoes of AIC and Soundgarden on this songs
Track seven “Before the Morning Son” is probably musically the most spectacular with the tempo changing several times, Pittman showing of his soloing skills as well as the drumming changing tempo so quickly and seamlessly
The next track that follows “End Of The World” is the ballad of the album yet still have a very heavy and strong chorus but its also a nice slow groove and another great solo.
The last track on the album is an 13 minute long epic which also features Alex Skolnick of Testament on guitar which starts out slow and then builds and builds featuring amazing solo work from both guitarists until it becomes straight up brutal death metal and even features guest vocals from Six Feet Under frontman Chris Barnes.
Pittman demonstrates on this album that even though he’s been associated with acts like Madonna and Adam Lambert and is an amazing soulful player he’s still truly metal and heart and can shred heavy riffs with the best of them.
If your really a guitar fan but don’t want an album that’s too much of a guitar wank fest then this is the album you want to listen to on repeat. The man can show off his talents but doesn’t beat you over the head with it and take it too far like a lot of the modern day virtuoso tend to do (cough John Petrucci cough cough). As well the man just straight up makes great metal that should be played loud and enjoyed
“The Power Of Three” is available now
