The main reasons I respect these guys are as follows:
**Their songs are written in classic format. Intro, verse, bridge, chorus...and SOLO, etc. It is so rare to hear a current band with and actual guitar solo.
**The lead singer actually SINGS! In metal that seems to be a dying art. It's all Cookie Monster style, or just tone deaf passing as "unique"(yes, that means you System of a Down). David Draiman sings like a modern day Rob Halford.
**The guitarist, Dan Donegan, was in a hair band called Vandal back in the 80s. His old school ways(the dude is 41)mingle perfectly with the contemporary style.
**The drummer, Mike Wengren cites Motley Crue as one of his main influences. And his sound shows it.
**They have a mascot! Like Iron Maiden's "Eddie". Their mascot is called "The Guy"...okay, not as memorable as Eddie...but visiually a cool character.
**They picked some great tunes from the past to cover. Tears for Fears' "Shout", Genesis' "Land of Confusion" & Faith No More's "Mid-life Crisis".
If you know this band only from "Down With The Sickness". Give 'em another listen! My favorites/most recommended to you: "Stricken" & "Just Stop"
What do you all think?
