It has been a number of years because the final Fozzy album, which is comprehensible contemplating what number of different irons frontman Chris Jericho has within the hearth. Along with his standing as one among professional wrestling’s largest names, he’s additionally an actor and has written a number of books.
Boombox is the follow-up to 2017’s Judas, and Fozzy‘s eighth studio album. It options a few new band members. P.J. Farley (Trixter) has been enjoying bass with the band since 2020, with the latest addition being drummer Grant Brooks (Via Fireplace). He replaces founding member Frank Fontsere. The lineup is rounded out by Jericho and guitarists Wealthy Ward and Billy Gray.
Their first a number of albums didn’t spawn any charting singles. “Lights Go Out” from 2014’s Do You Wanna Begin A Warfare was their first chart look. Since then, nevertheless, they’ve been hit-making machines. Judas had three singles, together with “Painless,” “Burn Me Out” and the highest 5 title observe. Boombox has already matched that quantity.
Guitarist and songwriter Ward is expert at balancing radio-friendly hits aimed on the mainstream viewers with harder-edge songs that fulfill the band’s steel followers. That is definitely the case with this album. Opener “Sane” scratches that steel itch whereas nonetheless being accessible, and there are many heavy however catchy riffs on “Air purifier.”
Talking of riffs, Ward and Billy Gray provide plenty of memorable ones on Boombox. You may hear a number of shredding solos alongside the way in which as nicely, equivalent to “The Vulture Membership.” There are quite a few potential singles, equivalent to “Nowhere To Run” and the facility ballad “Military Of One.”
The largest miss on the album is the duvet of the Frankie Goes To Hollywood music “Chill out.” They’ve lined some sudden songs up to now, equivalent to ABBA‘s “SOS” on Do You Need To Begin A Warfare. Covers are way more fascinating when a band places their very own spin on it, altering up the association or doing one thing else artistic with it. Fozzy‘s model of “Chill out” is almost similar to the unique, right down to the ’80s synths.
These synths are put to higher use on “My Nice Wall,” a observe with depth and a number of the catchiest moments on your entire file. That is instantly adopted by “What Hell Is Like” that gives stronger riffs and a few of Jericho‘s Ozzy-est singing on the album.
The manufacturing on Boombox is slick and trendy, emphasizing some industrial parts with out shedding any of the guitar energy. Johnny Andrews produced each this one and Judas, and whereas the manufacturing on each is analogous, it is undoubtedly not similar.
Fozzy haven’t essentially been important favorites, however through the years their fan base has grown steadily. Greater than 20 years into their profession they’re interesting to followers of rock, onerous rock and steel. That, together with the actual fact it has plenty of glorious songs, may make Boombox their highest charting album but.
