Herman Frank (Accept, Sinner, Victory) releases 2nd solo disc

[AlphaMale]

 

 

German axe slinger HERMAN FRANK has without a doubt an impressive career. He founded hard rock wonders Victory back in the eighties, played in Sinner and performed on the classic Accept effort 'Balls To The Wall'. But Frank also has his own band, and now is releasing the solo effort number two, "Right In The Guts".

 

Recently Herman has been an integral part of Accept's return to form, contributing not only with his fret-burner riffs but also in the songwriting. Accept is a great band, but too heavy for my tastes. Although "Right In The Guts" has a pretty heavy style as well, what I like about this album is the combination of heaviness with high doses of melody and hooks, and that's why it's presented here on this blog. Frank delivers thirteen blasting tracks full of energy, brimming over with killer riffs and pummelling drums, but also enough melodious cadence to please any classic hard rocker out there.

 

Choosing Swedish singer Rick Altzi (Thunderstone, At Vance, Epysode) as frontman is maybe the main factor of success in this recording. The sheer power and vigour with which he attacks each and every song grabs you immediately, adding to a huge barrage of guitars and throbbing bass and drums. Whether it is the foot to the floor riff-fest of "Starlight", the almost speed metal rampage of "Waiting", the stomping Whitesnake-like (Altzi does a mighty fine Coverdale impression actually) "Falling To Pieces", or the vintage '80s assault of "Ivory Gates", the vocals match the threatening, intense riffs and atmospheres, both in terms of aggressive power and pin-point precision. The catchy gallop of "Vengeance" or the groove of "Hell Isn't Far" are perfect examples of how to execute bristling metalized hard rock with an eye for a meaty hook. Backed by the expert work of bassist for hire Peter Pichl (Running Wild & UFO to name a couple) drummer Michael Wolpers (Soul Doctor) and second guitarist Mamalitsidis Cristos, Herman is given the room to make his guitar work sear and sting, safe in the knowledge that the songs already have a rock solid foundation.

 

 

I can't imagine a more aptly title than "Right In The Guts" for this recording. But don't be fooled, this material is not raw or nonsense metal, it's really melodic and polished, plenty of intelligent breathtaking riffs, melodies and good songwriting. "Right In The Guts" isn't a ground-breaking album and it doesn't push the boundaries of heavy-rock, but it's extremely effective and rocks your socks off. It takes all the best parts of the genre and cranks it up to 11. Production is excellent for this kind of music, crisp and dynamic.

 

Do you wanna rock? Herman's Frank "Right In The Guts" delivers in large quantities.

 

Really Good.

 

 

01 - Roaring Thunder

02 - Right In Your Guts

03 - Ivory Gate

04 - Vengeance

05 - Starlight

06 - Falling To Pieces

07 - Raise Your Hand

08 - Waiting

09 - Hell Isn't Far

10 - Kings Call

11 - Lights Are Out

12 - Black Star

13 - So They Run

 

 

Rick Altzi - Vocals

Herman Frank - Guitars

Mamalitsidis Cristos - Guitars

Peter Pichl - Bass

Michael Wolpers - Drums & Persussion

[AlphaMale]

Damn.... nobody likes ACCEPT???? VICTORY????? SINNER???????????????????

 

What the fuck is wrong with this board?? Oh I forgot, this board is for people who like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.

 

WTF!!!!!

[metalmaniac777]

Damn...nobody likes ACCEPT? VICTORY?? SINNER???

 

What the fuck is wrong with this board? Oh, I forgot, this board is for people who like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.

 

WTF!!!!!

Harsh, dude. Just because people aren't ranting & raving over a heavy metal CD that you're in love with hardly merits that kind of insult. I mean, really? Duran Duran? Spandau Ballet? That's just hitting way below the belt. Everybody on these boards are badass rockers who only enjoy the hard stuff like Toto, Asia, and Rick Springfield. If it makes you feel better, I haven't picked up the new Herman Frank yet, but I do like the samples I've heard, so I will eventually get it.

[AlphaMale]

I was just being sarcastic. And that was a jab at the folks on this board who admit they like those aforementioned bands.

 

No harm No foul.

 

And that's not my write up on the disc. That came from the interwebs.

[Geoff]

So how much does Victory does this actually sound like? I want to bother but I seem to be getting a bit more selective in my old age and can't muster up too much excitement for this.

[Stefan]

I was just being sarcastic. And that was a jab at the folks on this board who admit they like those aforementioned bands.

 

No harm No foul.

 

 

 

So how much does Victory does this actually sound like? I want to bother but I seem to be getting a bit more selective in my old age and can't muster up too much excitement for this.

 

Here you are Geoff:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRSezgxXzmo

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83BtWW6vO3Y

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6zfuZQVCCs

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANlNK5paFz8

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P_d6ZdNPIw

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUF3mi3YohE

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCccSO33piA

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu8l2_TwgxM

[Geoff]

Thanks dood. Yeah, I've heard the CD and I guess it's okay. A bit patchy - half decent/half filler. Yeah, can't muster up too much excitement about it.

[stormspell]

An okay youtube samples, albeit not good enough to endanger the space currently occupied by Duran Duran in my collection.

[Guest AuntieMaggie]

In my opinion it's 100 times better than "Loyal to None". I didn't enjoy it at all. I've heard some songs from "Right in the Guts" and I'm not so excited but it sounds good for me. What a pity that he didn't stay at "Balls to the Wall" style. :/