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13 years is a long time and for fans of Y & T it's an eternity but that's how long has passed since the release of their previous studio album. After spending the last few years on the touring circuit the veteran rockers are back with this "Facemelter". From the outset it appears the music has refused to move along with the times. Instead the band tries to focus on what it knows it does best: kick-ass Hard Rock drenched to the bone with the Blues and with Dave Meniketti's singing giving it that distinctive touch. "Facemelter" is a scorching collection of Rock songs and demonstrates a band with an enduring knack for writing great music. I don't think the album is Y & T's magnum opus - but then again, that opinion could change over time as Y & T's songs have had a tendency to grow on me. While there certainly are a few melancholic moments we also find an abundance of hellraising guitar solos and enough hooks to placate the most fickle rocker. I can very easily visualise a live audience going wild to a number of songs we have here - particularly 'Blind Patriot ' - as Dave Meniketti's guitar puts the crowd into headbanging submission. Although the main artwork is cartoonish, its style harks back to that of 1982's "Black Tiger" as well as their "Meanstreak" album of 1983. I'm convinced this subtle similarity was deliberate and reflects Y & T's ambitions at this point in time. That can only be a good omen. As a wise dude once said: "If it ain't broke, why fix it?"
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