Maximum Metal Rating Legend

The Showdown - Temptation Comes My Way - 2007

Track Listing1. Fanatics And Whores 2. Six Feet Under 3. We Die Young 4. Breath Of The Swamp 5. It Drinks From Me 6. Temptation Come My Way 7. Forget My Name 8. Spitting In The Wind 9. I, Victim (Here's To The Year) 10. Carry On Wayward Son 11. Death Finds Us Breathing 12. Death Finds Us Breathing

Yes! Rock it out and let it roll baby! Tennessee's premier heavy metal band, The Showdown, light it up with their second release entitled "Temptation Comes My Way", a barn burning slug fest that brings the classic metal days back to the forefront. With gigantic guitar solos, straight ahead riffs, sparkling clean vocals, and some meaningful and passionate lyrics, this band has hit the high stride of today's modern metal venture. "Temptation Comes My Way" has most definitely come my way in grand fashion.

This is a totally new and improved band when compared to their rather lackluster metal-core debut, "Chorus Of Obliteration". In many ways The Showdown has pulled their own version of today's Trivium. While Trivium relied on metal-core aggression through their early career, it was last year's "The Crusade" that soared the band to new heights, stripping off the 'core and exploding with bay area thrash riffs from the '80s. The Showdown has stripped the 'core off for this new development, replacing their debut sound with new super-charged heavy metal freedom that sees the band play straight forward hard rock with a heavy edge. Often enough I'm reminded of Corrosion Of Conformity crossed with Metallica's "Black" album and some Def Leppard thrown in. Better yet, maybe take Fight's first album, "War Of Words", and inject some mid-range clean singing with a bit of twang.

The album explodes with some heavy mid-tempo riffs and gang chants before vocalist David Bunton hits the waves with his memorable and commanding vocal power. On opener "Fanatics And Whores" Bunton leads an explosive display of hook, melodic chorus, and huge solo before building into a wall of double-bass to close. Follow that with "Six Feet Under", with the Def Leppard "Pour Some Sugar On Me" stadium beat bracing the song for Bunton's great runs in the chorus. Stringers Childers and Bailey have a Reb Beach style of guitar, with tons of vibrant melody injected into every note, here hitting a Winger styled lead towards the end. "Breath Of The Swamp" is a fresh breeze of southern rock, a hard hitting affair that is similar to Brand New Sin. More southern rock groove hits the title track, which sounds like Corrosion Of Conformity circa "Deliverance". A fantastic ballad is laid here with "It Drinks From Me", a real soulful tune that rings with acoustic passages. The band still showcases the Maiden vibe that was evident on the group's debut, exploding with twin guitar passages on "I, Victim (Here's To The Year)". The band also checks in with a cover of Kansas' "Carry On Wayward Son", which isn't cookie-cutter by any means. The band makes it their own, a worthy effort that should hit every FM rock station in a perfect world. The album was produced by Paul Eborsold (Three Doors Down, Saliva) and mixed by J.R. McNeely (Demon Hunter), allowing crystal clarity to every wonderful note.


--EC 03.06.07