>> Atkins May Project: Valley of Shadows (2012)
Submitted
by AJ Garcia on Thursday,
January 3, 2013 - 11:32PM
Artist: Atkins May
Project
Album: Valley of
Shadows
Label: AIS
Tracks: 10
Type: LP
Release
Date: November 13,
2012
Discs: 1
Rating: ()
GRADE: B+
The
latest release from the band Atkins May Project is my first experience with the
band so of course research went into who they are and where they came from. For
those not in the know, here is the 411. For those that already know, bear with
me.
Alan
John (Al) Atkins is probably better known to fans of Judas Priest. Atkins was
the founder of the band and the bands original singer/songwriter in the groups
infancy. The band was successful but not as widely known as it would later
become. Due to this Atkins was forced to take a job to support his family, he
was later replaced by the bands better known front man Rob Halford. It was with
Halford and Atkin’s contributions as covered by the newly fronted
Halford Judas Priest that the band gained its popularity and fame.
Yeas
later Atkins attempted a comeback with the band Lion to little fanfare and
decided to go solo, creating several well recieved albums. Later, teaming with
guitarist Paul May, Atkins began co-creating music under the name Atkins May
Project and released the bands first album Serpents Kiss. This album, Valley of
Shadows, is the second release from the Atkins May Project.
I’ll
be honest, Atkin’s vocal style instantly reminded me of those old metal bands
such as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, or Quiet Riot. In short, Atkin’s vocal style
came off very dated. I had a tough time getting used to the operatic metal style
that, for me, died out in the mid 80’s. Still, I trudged on.
As
I dove deeper into the album I have to admit that I actually started to like it.
Atkin’s vocal efforts on some of the mid to backend stuff reminded me of a very
off Tom Waits. His voice is very gravelly and at times infused with a very
natural sounding blues style (Atkin’s began his music career in a blues rock
outfit). As the album rolled on and everything started to come into focus I
really did enjoy the old school guitar work mixed with the hard rock sound that
enveloped Atkin’s vocal work. It’s not revolutionary, and at times dips into
that 80’s era sound, but it has a current flair to it with a good dose of
nostalgia that takes me back to my youth. Over time I can see myself really
enjoying this album, when all surprises are out of the figurative bag, but for
now this album and I still have some kinks to work out.
For
fans of the old school metal era, you probably aren’t going to need to much
convincing that this is an album for you. For fans of the hard rock category,
once you get passed the first couple of tracks you’ll find the path. Like I
said, it takes getting used to the dated bits, but when all is said and done,
you’re going to enjoy this album for what it is. Enjoy.
Pictures/Covers:
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment