This talented vocalist once fronted Badlands (where he replaced Ray Gillen), before joining a U.S. prog band Artension in 1996 and releasing 4 albums with them. In 1999 he was invited to join Royal Hunt, and to this day remains a singer for both bands. His latest album with Artension was "Future World" (2004) and with Royal Hunt "Paper Blood" (2005). Aside from these two, John is also actively involved with his solo career, releasing four albums under his own name: "Mind Journey" (1997), "Permanent Mark" (1998), "Earth Maker" (2002), which featured an all-star line-up, and, finally, "Long Time... No Sing" (2006). He also does various guest performances, noteably on Cozy Powell's and James Murphy's solo albums, on Savatage's "Poets And Madmen," and on Feinstein's "Third Wish" (reviewed below), as well as touring with Dokken's George Lynch and Lynch Mob. A busy man indeed. LATEST NEWS: John West just left Royal Hunt.
EARTH MAKER (2002)
BEST SONGS: "When Worlds Collide," "Stand, Sentinel," "Warrior Spirit"
This is one excellent side-project, that, except in couple of places, does not sound at all like the parent band. I can even go as far as saying that this album in places does not sound like itself, depending on who is playing the main violin (figuratively speaking... there are no violins here). Some songs are written and mainly carried by Savatage's Chris Caffery, and these songs sound like simplified Savatage ("Soul Of The Beast," "Love Is Pain"). Some songs are written and mainly carried by Halford's Chlasciak and they sound just like Halford's material ("Sleep Of The Dead," "Life"). One song, "When Worlds Collide," features guest performances by keyboarders extraordinaire, Vitalij Kuprij and Andre Andersen, so, needless to say, that song is an absolutely marvelous "key fest," in vein of both of Artension and Royal Hunt. Finally, some songs are written by John West himself with the album's producer and main keyboard operator, Lonnie Park, also of Artension.
What makes this album rather unique are the songs, where heavy and crunchy guitars somehow sound totally Indian! Oh yes, this album is a rock opera, based on West's strange ideas about reincarnations of a certain Native American Chief, Shanandoah. And the music manages to "reincarnate" Indian beats into a heavy metal crunchy riff- and shred-work. Both guitarists are undisputed masters of the fretboard, and the drummer is none other than Bobby Jarzombek, of Riot and Halford fame, so it's inconceivable how the cd case just doesn't burst from all this talent packed inside. And let's not forget West himself: this is one of the year's best performances! The songwriting is crafty and strong, catchy, energetic, and even intelligent (although I must notice that the introduction to the album, on the first page of the booklet could be written by a middle-school student, without too much of a strain). "Soul Of The Beast" and "Life" are wonderful neo-Indian (read: "metallized Indian") anthems, and "When Worlds Collide," as previously stated, would easily be the highlight of any RH album. But this album has the song that propels it straight into the year's Top 5. I don't love "Stand, Sentinel" simply because any song with the word "SENTINEL" is dear to my heart. This is an emotional power ballad, telling the tale of a tree that is about to be cut down, sacrificed on the altar of "progress." And it is a marvelous in its bitterness tribute to the elderly of the world, doomed to be destroyed, simply because they stand on the way of the new. When West releases his final "NEVER FAAAAAAAALLL!" at the end, it feels like the ear-piercing Gods of the Old -- Halford, Midnight, and Michael Kiske -- have all come alive and delivered this amazing scream! I have not heard a high-pitcher this good since 1995 Conception's "Solar Serpent." Unbelievable! So, yes, it's a very good album, and you definitely need to hunt it down.
FEINSTEIN: THIRD WISH (2004)
BEST SONGS: "Streaming Star," "Rule The World," "Masquerade"
In 2004 John West was enlisted to sing on the David "Rock" Feinstein's solo album. David Feinstein, Ronnie James Dio's cousin, played with Dio in the 70s, but was not heard from in over two decades. Voila, he is back from the dead, wearing leather, making "tough" faces (which do not come out all too convincing, David looks nice -- and old -- enough to be a solid grandfather figure), and releasing a classic metal album. And a classic it is. The reference points are, of course, Dio, Rainbow, and Hughes/Martin-era Sabbath. One thing it does not sound like is Royal Hunt: there are very few keys here. What this album does have in abundance is traditional, rocking, crunchy riffs that Tony Iommi and Vivian Campbell were once treating us. In fact, this album would feel totally in place in 1985, and now, in the age of bands that abuse double-bass drumming at the expense of riffs, this riff-fest gets an utmost welcome from me. Songs like blazing "Streaming Star" or epic title track would totally belong on Seventh Star or Headless Cross, and fast rocking "Masquerade" recalls "The Last In Line." In fact, the entire middle part of the album is great: "Streaming Star," "Third Wish," mid-tempo rocker "Rule The World," "Masquerade," and another song with an epic feel, "Far Beyond," are all fabulous. Opening "Regeneration" is cool too, albeit too formulaic, and "Live To Ride, Ride To Live" got a nasty groove. Another reference point would be the best of Malmsteen's material, on those rare occasions when Yngwie was not abusing his solos (like in "Rising Force"). Speaking of solos: they are sparkling. John West is not otherworldly on this album, like he was on The Mission or Earth Maker, but he does not need to be: he just lets the riffs do the talking. A marvelous release, not to be overlooked, especially after the ecstatic review given to this album by Metal Sludge. Another side point: the executive producer of this album is none other than Manowar's Joe DeMaio.
LONG TIME... NO SING (2006)
RATING: ***
BEST SONGS: "Fade," "Highway to Roppongi," "The One The Got Away"
Definitely less metal and more hard rock. Relately few keys, this reminds me strongly of Riot, DiMeyo era, only without the urgency. One of the album's best tracks, "Highway to Roppongi," is a laid-back grassroots ballad in vein of Riot's "Cover Me" or Cry Of Love material. No Mike Chlasciak this time, replaced by Kevin Hampton (who was in Moon Dog Mane with Frank Hannon of Tesla). On the drums it's none other but Jeff Plate of Savatage. Unfortunately, this is where all Savatage comparisons end: this sure ain't Caffery/Plate of "Turns To Me" and "Drive." Then again, John here is not the John of Feinstein's Third Wish either. Some of the more rocking moments include "Fade" and "Over My Head" (nice guitar lick at the end). "The One That Got Away" would fit perfectly on Riot's latest, Army Of One; it's like they've been recorded by the same musicians and the crew. But the rest is mostly relaxed ballads or semi-ballads, which I totally don't care for. The lyrics are rather subpar, the song titles are taken from the same tired book of "Heavy Metal Song Titles" (the one with frayed edges and worn-out pages): "Fade," "Falling Down," "Over My Head," "Slipping Away," etc. Cliches are nothing new to metal, but they can be compensated by intensity, and nothing even remotely resembling intensity is found here. Which hardly makes this release a must-own.
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