With a very heavy heart I write this review. “Play
My Game” was one of the albums I was anticipating to be great this year. Well
sadly & I mean very sadly I was wrong. With such an array of guests on “Play My
Game” including:
Guitar
- Bruce Kulick (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, ex-KISS), Carlos Cavazo (RATT, ex-QUIET
RIOT), Craig Goldy (DIO), Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA),
Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT), John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM), Doug Aldrich
(WHITESNAKE), Michael Wilton (QUEENSRŸCHE), Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE) and Steve
Stevens (BILLY IDOL).
Bass - Marco Mendoza (ex-WHITESNAKE), Billy
Sheehan (MR BIG, ex-DAVID LEE ROTH), Dave Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH), Rudy Sarzo (DIO,
ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT), James Lomenzo (MEGADETH), Tony Franklin (ex-BLUE
MURDER) and Dennis Hayes (BEYOND FEAR).
Drums - Simon Wright (DIO, ex-AC/DC), Vinny
Appice (HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO), Ray Luzier (KORN, DAVID LEE ROTH)
and Bobby Jarzombek (SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT, HALFORD).
Now you would think this would be a super project
from hell. But that is where the problem lies. The music on “Play My Game” is
very boring and played with no passion. To my ears, it sounds like all the
guests, especially the guitarists, are just there as hired guns. Nothing jumps
out at me and say’s listen to me; “I’m the best fucking song you have heard”.
Basically the music sucks big time and has a very modern day US metal sound
(Disturbed, Bullet for my Valentine) and never gets out of second gear. There
are a few killer solos but nothing that will save “Play My Game”.
Ripper puts in a stellar vocal performance on “Play
My Game” very nice and clean vocals with a little bit of use with filters and
stuff. “The Cover Up" & “It Is Me” is the best I have heard Tim sing & scream. I
really did want to like “Play My Game” and have listened to it for the last week
non stop, waiting for the sucker punch to hit me. But it never did!!! I just
wish Ripper would do another Beyond Fear album. Now that thing shits all over
“Play My Game”.
Very very disappointing!
