Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Impellitteri
Title
Wicked Maiden
Type
LP/EP
Company
Victor Entertainment
YOR
2009
Style
Power
9/18/2009 - Review by: Hail and Kill

Impellitteri
Wicked Maiden

Company: Victor Entertainment
Release: 2009
Genre: Power, shred
Reviewer: Hail and Kill

  • Melodic shred-madness



  • Judging by the song that cranks open this newest collection of melodic shred-madness from the reunited Impellitteri, it's obvious the quintet have done their homework. Mindful of what their fans like and contemporary preferences in the American scene, they deliver HEAVY in spades. For song number one, first comes the opening hook, then the faux 1980's attitude, followed by a testicle popping falsetto from Rob Rock that proceeds to ripping the listener a new bunghole with the ensuing double bass mayhem.

    Bursting at the seams with its melodiousness and uncontrollable axework from the band's guitarist extraordinaire Chris Impellitteri, version 2.0 of this 90's cult metal band stay on the safe side lyrically (a lot here is similar to past albums such as "Answer to the Master" and "Eye of the Hurricane") but also shed a lot of musical baggage. One can't help noticing how the keyboards here are less obvious and give way most of the time to Chris' over-the-top guitar bombast. The man is every bit a monster with his instrument, from riffs to leads he makes unleashing those dizzying bursts of technicality sound easy, even if it kicks dust in the faces of today's 'hottest' guitarists. Most people can only dream of playing the way he does. As a result of the excessive guitar, however, the rest of the band are reduced to the background, which makes the drums and bass sound rather lifeless and two dimensional.

    Nevertheless, Impellitteri wouldn't be complete without Chris' long absent partner in crime, Rob Rock. He's in great shape here too, be it on inane teenage anthems like "Hi-Scool Revolution" or the rip roaring "Weapons of Mass Distortion." There's even a token love songs that vainly tries to steal Bon Jovi's fire titled "Eyes Of An Angel" that's so cheesy, it's hilarious. Going the down-tuned route on its last segue of musical finesse, "The Battle Rages On" leaves no doubt that as a unit, Chris, Rob, and their crew are bulletproof. Lyrically however...man, do they love their cheese.



    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      3.5 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: IMPELLITTERI
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Pedal To The Metal
    2004
    Victor Entertainment
    Eric Compton10/12/2004
    -
    System X
    2002
    SPV/Steamhammer
    Eric Compton3/6/2003
    -
    Venom
    2015
    Frontiers
    Eric Compton4/15/2015
    4
    Wicked Maiden
    2009
    Victor Entertainment
    Hail and Kill9/18/2009
    3.5

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: IMPELLITTERI
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
    Rob RockMiguel Blardony9/18/2009


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