Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Gordon Tittsworth is one of the hardest working guys in metal. He appears here fronting this Texas band’s third effort, ‘Juggernaut’. The band originally formed in 1995 and released two albums, ‘Forever and a Day’ (1998) and ‘Entropy’ (2002), before hiring Tittsworth for this newest album. ‘Juggernaut’ juxtaposes progressive and power metal into a rather moody songwriting venture. I like the hooky cuts like ‘Ruffian’ and ‘Never Enough’, both built on beefy licks and Tittsworth’s effortless higher vocal prowess. ‘Burden’ is a dead ringer for mid-era Queensryche while ‘Catharsis’ is seemingly math-metal with its busy hands, timing changes, and growls. Overall this is pleasing, but a lot to absorb on limited listening.