CD review TREMONTI "Cauterize"

(8/10) Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti released his highly appreciated solo debut a few years ago. The album was called "All I was" and contained songs that have been very good, but didn't really fit to Tremonti's main band.

Now, some years later, the axeman releases his second album that comes with 44 minutes which can be translated into 10 songs.

The six stringer has written again tunes that are standing out from the broad masses. Tremonti's  passion for different genre's of rock becomes obvious on each of the new tracks. Sometimes being closer to grunge, sometimes, when it comes to certain riffs, being closer to Machine Head, Tremonti doesn't make any compromises. 

His own style is standing out from most of the other guitarists; something that gives the Tremonti sound, as well as Alter Bridge, an own own and very unique identity.

The spectrum of songs on "Cauterize" goes from fast to slow and back.

One of my favorite tunes is called "Flying monkeys". It's a slower songs on the longplayer what doesn't mean that it's a silent one. The opposite is the reality. It is build on a doomy riff that is a very intense one. The tune in its totality has a darker vibe and I was reminded partly to Soundgarden's "Black hole sun". 

This glommy sphere comes also back in "Dark trip". Already the title marks that this isn't a happy sing-a-long song. It isn't. It's more a kind of melodic melancholy.

Enough slow stuff, time for some speed. The title track delivers exactly what you're looking for. The tune switches between raging guitar parts and melodic vocals. A great track that is the right one for giving the album its title. Talking about the vocals - Tremonti is also this time singing on all the tracks. He proves again that he isn't only an excellent guitar player, but also a good singer.

Last but not least "Cauterize" contains a half ballad called "Sympathy" that comes with a big chorus and is probably the song that is closest to Alter Bridge.

"Cauterize" is an album that represents the iconic guitaridt very well. It's a journey through heavy riffs and fragile sounds. In other words: it's typical Tremonti. 

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Radical change
2. Flying monkey
3. Cauterize
4. Arm yourself
5. Dark trip
6. Another heart
7. Falling again
8. Tie the nose
9. Sympathy
10. Providence

Label: Fret 12 Records

Genre: Alternative Metal