Band : Slough Feg
Album Title : Ape Uprising
Label : Cruz Del Sur
Distributor : Sonic Rendezvous – Hard Life Promotion
Release Date : 11/05/2009
Review : CD

Slough Feg’s 7th album Ape Uprising is as close to metal perfection as I have heard in ages. From the opening notes, bandleader Mike  Scalzi (vocals/guitars), Adrian Mestas (bass), Angelo Tringali (guitars) and Harry Cantwell (drums) show their muscle in a most impressive manner. Ape Uprising  is US power metal-based, but not entirely faithful to the genre, experimenting with some other sub-genres of metal/hard rock and their musical influences.
Epic lyrics, explosive music and a shitload of panache make Slough Feg one extraordinary metal band. Ape Uprising puts them heads above most of the other acts out there today. The eight tracks breeze by in 37 minutes for maximum impact.The NWOBHM (Priest – Angel Witch – DesolationAngels) influence is loud and clear, but never derrative. Scalzi’svocals are moody, emotional, forceful, anguished, and more masculine and mature than most of these clear metal singers. The 10-minute title track has a few references to Thin Lizzy Gorham/Robertson-era with its celtic-like guitarwork. The dual guitar attack emulates the great old school metal of the past ... but with a little more speed and intensity bringing additional fire to the mix. This stuff would kill live and I can't wait to see the band on stage. I can't imagine any fan of bands like Manilla Road, Thin Lizzy, Legend (US and UK), Jag Panzer, Cirith Ungol, Stygian Shore, and the like not enjoying Ape Uprising.
Ape Uprising is one of the highlights that I've heard this year, together with Crack The Skye (Mastodon) and The Devil You Know (Heaven And Hell).

97/100

Cosmicmasseur.