Year: 2020
Total Time: 45:00
Label: AFM Records

There is this saying that “A cuckoo doesn’t bring spring” and here, when we talk about “cuckoos”, we clearly mean Ross “The Boss” Friedman. From the time he started with the best prospects, (with THE DICTATORS) and then as a co-founder of the epic heroes MANOWAR, he ended up having his own personal mediocre band. This is okay on the one hand, not bad at all because it’s still in the spotlight, but on the other hand, he could have done a lot better. Especially, the compositions of his new work are modest. The album sounds dull and monotonous, as listening to it was kind of a “torture” for my ears. The reasons are explained in detail below…

Let’s start from the positive parts, such as “Glory To The Slain”, a powerful guitar and solo-focused opening track that sounds like a retro reminiscent of the glorious NWOBHM days. Αlso on “Fight The Fight” we hear a heavy riff and a beautiful blues-y solo. This track reminded me of DIO and NEVERMORE in mid tempo forms, both in song structure and in vocals. In addition, “Denied by The Cross” is a dynamite, similar in PRIEST and JAG PANZER style – perhaps the best of the album so far. Last but not least, the only original song with a good flow is “Waking The Moon”.

Let’s go to the bad side now: “Shotgun Evolution” is what the title says: a pistol – in a bad sense, though. One that came in and went out without even noticing it! In “Born Of Fire” the neon lights with the inscription JUDAS PRIEST flash like crazy, which clearly gives the impression that what we have here lacks of originality. The songs are repetitive. While starting with sharp riffs full of promises, ready to offer thrills, these enter the bridges and chains that ‘leave’ you empty handed. A typical example of this, is “Demon Holiday”. Mark Lopes, admittedly, is a hidden talent but in “Godkiller” he is over-trying to sound like Eric Adams. So, I would call him “King Of Karaoke” instead of “King Of Metal”. The last two tracks are slightly better than fillers.

In conclusion here again we are dealing with a record that talks about Epic situations, with battles and swords, with only exception that the steel here is not stainless… This album is inferior to its predecessor, which is a true “Manowarrior story”. Would the Valhalla gates while listening to this record be ashamed, or would their eyes be blunted (or perhaps their ears even better) because of BOSS’ glorious past – which gives him an unlimited pass and will did they allow him the entrance? So here’s the question that, after listening at this disc, you have to answer by yourself…

Rating: 5/10
Editor: Nikos Mathiopoulos
Related Link: ROSS THE BOSS – Official Page