Album Review: Newsted - Heavy Metal Music

Although Echobrain threw too many curveballs and Rock Star Supernova was unsurprisingly disastrous, since leaving Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has displayed why many considered him the “keeper of the heavy flame” during said band's questionable mid-to-late-'90s period. Playing with Voivod and Ozzy ensured his metal credentials remained intact, but after a period in relative obscurity he's returned, full of piss and vinegar.

Rapidly following up a debut EP, Newsted has recruited new guitarist Mike Mushok (Staind) for their first full-length. There's fractionally more musical breadth, and Newsted's gruff, Chuck Billy-esque snarl is adequate, even when spouting some of the cheesier lyrics. EP tracks, the frantic Soldierhead and accessible King Of The Underdogs, are also included, while doom-ish Nocturnus, Motörhead-influenced Long Time Dead and punchy Heroic Dose are also winners. There are hints of blues and Sabbath (Mission: Impossible-inspired Ampossible) within chugging guitars and he's made a few borrowings from the much-vaunted (in this case predominantly Load-era) Metallica riff bank, with varying degrees of success. The pretension-free title says plenty about the earnest delivery, and there's a tangible vitality evident within Heavy Metal Music that will ensure it receives a pass from many. The room to grow is most apparent throughout the second half of the (admittedly overly long) LP, which often meanders without adequate hooks to maintain interest.

Having been set for life two decades ago, although unremarkable, this emanates an ethos of a veteran revelling in creating something new. After burrowing underground for a while, Newsted's on a mission to reclaim as many fans as possible. This is a fair starting point.