Monte Pittman
The Power of Three
Metal Blade Records
2014
The fact that Monte Pittman has been a long – time guitarist for Madonna may not be quite appealing to any rocker or metalhead out there. A man gotta do what he can in order to make it so better do not judge one’s choices and focus on his work. Monte also played guitar and co-wrote tracks for Prong.
“The Power of Three”, with the cheesy & outdated cover artwork, is Monte’s third solo album. So, what’s here for ya huh? A little bit of everything. Modern, rock, metal, groove metal, heavy-thrash, pop metal, hard rock & alternative. How do all those genres blend together? Not bad. Actually, the album is rather listenable and damn powerful. You see the production has been done by the eminent producer Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Mordib Angel, Blind Guardian, Saturnus etc.) who has given a Metallica, Pantera & Alice in Chains dynamic to its overall outcome. For instance, “Away From here” is soo Alice in Chains wannabe. I’ll be damn but “Before the Mourning Son” also sounds sooo Metallica, especially with that ala “One” heavy riff. Why did Metallica stop cooperating with Flemming in the first place? He could have saved them from goin’ down the gutter, if they had given him the power to do so of course.
Anyway, this album is sometimes too modernish metallic & others alternative poppy & cheesy. Monte is a fine vocalist. Not something extraordinaire but OK. He generally goes for heavy riff-oriented tracks, but his poppy past is always there to remind him that he ain’t as heavy as he wishes he could be. In the main, there’s nothing wrong with this album. The performances are very good, the production is great, but that Metallica meets Ozzy meets Alice in Chains meets Pantera meets pop… all wrapped in a modern sound, doesn’t work that satisfactorily for me. Probably the younger rock/metal fans will find it more pleasing – especially this generation who hasn’t been raised with Metallica like mine was. Why does it have to be soooo Metallica? Why does Monte have to mimic James Hetfield at times? I see no point in that. Were I the producer I would try to eliminate those elements and not highlight ‘em in every possible way. Then again, that’s my perspective.
The last long track (about 13 minutes) “All is Fair in Love and War” just showcases why one should not make a song so long when there’s absolutely no reason. That ala “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” melodic solo is rather tasteless and weak. Monte ain’t Hammet and he won’t ever reach him no matter how hard he tries. Not to mention the brutal death metal (feat. Chris Barnes!) part in the last 5-6 minutes. It can be described as insipid & flavorless at best! This album could have been better if some unlucky moments had been hidden instead of being emphasized… but I guess this Metallica ghost will forever haunt Flemming and his works. Nevertheless, “The Power of Three” is too modern & popy to (wanna)be a Metallica (of the past) clone album! Certainly not my thing, especially when a band/artist lacks personality & originality.
“The Power of Three”, with the cheesy & outdated cover artwork, is Monte’s third solo album. So, what’s here for ya huh? A little bit of everything. Modern, rock, metal, groove metal, heavy-thrash, pop metal, hard rock & alternative. How do all those genres blend together? Not bad. Actually, the album is rather listenable and damn powerful. You see the production has been done by the eminent producer Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Mordib Angel, Blind Guardian, Saturnus etc.) who has given a Metallica, Pantera & Alice in Chains dynamic to its overall outcome. For instance, “Away From here” is soo Alice in Chains wannabe. I’ll be damn but “Before the Mourning Son” also sounds sooo Metallica, especially with that ala “One” heavy riff. Why did Metallica stop cooperating with Flemming in the first place? He could have saved them from goin’ down the gutter, if they had given him the power to do so of course.
Anyway, this album is sometimes too modernish metallic & others alternative poppy & cheesy. Monte is a fine vocalist. Not something extraordinaire but OK. He generally goes for heavy riff-oriented tracks, but his poppy past is always there to remind him that he ain’t as heavy as he wishes he could be. In the main, there’s nothing wrong with this album. The performances are very good, the production is great, but that Metallica meets Ozzy meets Alice in Chains meets Pantera meets pop… all wrapped in a modern sound, doesn’t work that satisfactorily for me. Probably the younger rock/metal fans will find it more pleasing – especially this generation who hasn’t been raised with Metallica like mine was. Why does it have to be soooo Metallica? Why does Monte have to mimic James Hetfield at times? I see no point in that. Were I the producer I would try to eliminate those elements and not highlight ‘em in every possible way. Then again, that’s my perspective.
The last long track (about 13 minutes) “All is Fair in Love and War” just showcases why one should not make a song so long when there’s absolutely no reason. That ala “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” melodic solo is rather tasteless and weak. Monte ain’t Hammet and he won’t ever reach him no matter how hard he tries. Not to mention the brutal death metal (feat. Chris Barnes!) part in the last 5-6 minutes. It can be described as insipid & flavorless at best! This album could have been better if some unlucky moments had been hidden instead of being emphasized… but I guess this Metallica ghost will forever haunt Flemming and his works. Nevertheless, “The Power of Three” is too modern & popy to (wanna)be a Metallica (of the past) clone album! Certainly not my thing, especially when a band/artist lacks personality & originality.