Adrenaline Mob - Omerta

“Omerta” is one of the most anticipated debuts of 2012. It all started out when the guitarist Mike Orlando (Sonic Stomp, instrumental solo project) approached the singer Russell Allen (Symphony X, Allen/Lande) and they started working over some song ideas the guitarist had written. Right after, Allen invited the drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, ex-Avenged Sevenfold, Flying Colors) on board and the band took its final shape by adding the bassist John Moyer.

 

Russell has described Adrenaline Mob as: “a straight-up rock band with just rock songs - kind of an edgy, modern kind of sound…”. It’s true that the band does have a more modern groovy hard rock/metal sound… bringing on mind a mix of bands like: Disturbed, Primal Rock Rebellion with Black Label Society & Corrosion of Conformity. Russell sings in a very different way… rather more aggressively... the music base is more groovy-like and Portnoy just does what he does better.

 

I’m afraid the result is not the one that the longtime friends of those musicians (especially the Russell - Portnoy ones) have been waiting for. It’s too modernized and moderately unoriginal and insipid. The best songs are: “Indifferent”, “All on the Line” & “Angel Sky”… where the band slows down a little bit and you can actually hear some nice melodies. But 3 fine songs outta 11 is a very small number. Furthermore, the music here is mostly forgettable… you won’t even remember this album after a couple of months. Instead, the production is very powerful and has a solid edge and all the credits go to the band. The album was also mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Steel Panther etc.).

 

The bottom line is that “Omerta” is a wannabe modern groovy metal with some traditional features at the same time album. Russell & Portnoy are way out of their territory… and being a great musician does not mean that you can deliver any kind of music successfully. You’ve got to know your boundaries. If it wasn’t for those two famous gentlemen… then be sure that none of the metal/hard rock fans would have given it too much attention.