HellYeah ~ Stampede (Epic)
Released: July 13, 2010
Texas metal monsters, HELLYEAH return this month with their second record, Stampede. This follow up to their 2007 self-titled debut wastes no time picking up where they left off. Much as the album’s title would suggest, the band wastes no time crashing out the chute, kicking, bucking and like herd of crazy-ass rockers ready to run you over.
In short, Stampede is the bastard child of classic Molly Hatchett and Lynyrd Skynyrd with massive Pantera-size metal balls. Southern style, hard rockin’, feel good, ass kicking, take no prisoners, rock and roll. But what would you expect from a band that features the likes of Chad Gray and Greg tribbett (Mudvayne), Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Damage Plan), Tom Maxwell (Nothingface) and Bob Zilla (Damageplan).
The album, which was produced and mixed by Vinnie Paul and Sterling Winfield, opens with the in-your-face outlaw anthem, Cowboy Way which opens with Vinnie Paul’s crushing drums, and a dirty guitar riff that pays homage to his late brother Dimebag.
“Debt That All Men Pay,” has a beastly groove, and some wickedly sick guitar work from Maxwell and Tribbett.
Next is the raucous melodic bull ride, “Hell Of A Time,” which is exactly that. This one will have you screaming HELLYEAH!
Then of course the adrenaline pumping title track, “Stampede” comes next.
The band waits until the album’s fifth track “Better Man,” to slow it down for a Southern inspired ballad about striving to overcome the scars of their upbringing.
Then it’s back to HELLYEAH! on “It’s On!” a circle pit fist shaker.
“She’s not built for virtue, she’s built for sin,” Gray sings on “Pole Rider.” A playful tribute to the stripper nation.
One of the album’s moodier tracks is “Stand Or Walk Away,” something of a change of pace from most of the record, but a tasty treat near the album’s end.
From the first track to the last, HELLYEAH is about the spirit of rock and roll. Raise a beer or raise a flag, shake your ass or shake your fist, but bring your attitude and your need to party, and that’s the sound of HELLYEAH!
Rating: 8.7/10
