Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Steve Cone - Distortion - 2006 - In My World Studios

Track Listing1. Tastes So Good to Me 2. The Chosen Ones 3. Life Blood 4. Hangin’ By a Thread 5. Alive 6. Sixty Nine 7. I Have The Right 8. Burning 9. Understand 10. Insane 11. Locked and Loaded 12. Distortion 13. Wrecking Ball

As you tip through the tracks of Steve Cone’s latest cd “Distortion” it’s impressive that Cone plays all of the instruments with a heavy focus on his guitar work. Cone is a more than competent axe man, with a stadium, Def Leppard, Flying V, arena tour swagger in his style and he deserves props for being quite capable on drums and bass as well. However, where the cd falls short on a consistent basis, is sophomoric lyrics delivered weakly for 13 tracks.

Cone has the musical chops but he should recognize that all the arpeggios and chord progressions in the world do not a great cd make if the lyrics are delivered with a less than profound, or in this case, palatable vocal. Cone’s talent is overshadowed throughout the entire cd by unfortunate singing, and it would be interesting to see what Cone could produce if put a good front man on the stage.

Steve Cone’s music recently caught the attention of metal historian and MTV producer Rick Ernst who will feature Steve Cone’s guitar work in the upcoming documentary Get Thrashed. The feature about the history of thrash metal is due to be shown at major film festivals as well as on cable and satellite systems in the near future. Let’s just hope they don’t ask him to sing.






--Strutter 04.09.07