Adrenaline Mob – Dearly Departed (EP)

When Adrenaline Mob released their latest EP Dearly Departed in February via Century Media, no-one can have foreseen that drummer A J Pero would tragically be found dead (further information here) on the tour bus in the middle of a tour the following month, and therefore the poignancy of the title Dearly Departed. Adrenaline Mob released Men Of Honor in February 2014 experiencing some setbacks to their touring schedule when a crash destroyed their gear and van, but luckily no one was seriously injured. Then in August 2014 they had a line up change with Erik Lionhardt replacing John Moyer on bass. This did, however, give the band time to work on Dearly Departed which like, Men Of Honor, was recorded by their guitarist, Mike Orlando, at his own Sonic Stomp Studios. Featuring nine tracks including new covers, acoustic renditions of tracks from ‘Men of Honor’ and ‘Omerta’ their debut album, plus a previously unreleased song recorded during the ‘Men of Honor’ sessions and an edit of the song Dearly Departed which gives the EP it’s title and must, surely, now become a tribute to the late A J Pero.

The first track Snortin’ Whiskey is a cover of the Pat Travers Band classic and Adrenaline Mob’s version hasn’t veered far from the original, keeping the same screaming riffs and energy of the original. Then comes the title track and the most poignant track on the whole EP, including the lyrics ‘soon to be a member of the dearly departed’ no-one can have foreseen that A J Pero was soon to be a member of the dearly departed! This song reminded me very much of Foo Fighters like a cross between Best of You and All My Life, a great track RIP A J!

Devil Went Down to Georgia a cover of the song originally recorded by Charlie Daniels Band with some awesome fret work by Mike Orlando taking the place of the fiddle and it sounded like Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex had been blended in, although I suspect that took some inspiration from the original tune too! A medley of Black Sabbath tunes Into the Void, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Killing Yourself to Live, several acoustic tracks and Gets You Through the Night with it’s Whitesnake vibe make up the rest of the album which finishes with a cracking cover of Queen’s Tie Your Mother Down.

The band have continued the tour with Chad Szeliga in the drumming stool and, although I never knew A J, I would like to think he died happy doing what he loved! There’s a fund set up on Go Fund Me to help support his daughter Brianna see here.

A good mix of their own material, covers and a sterling Black Sabbath medley. With a stellar line-up, which includes members of Symphony X, Disturbed and Twisted Sister, Dearly Departed gets four stars from PlanetMosh.

Highlight Tracks: Dearly Departed and Devil Went Down to Georgia

Track List:

1. Snortin’ Whiskey (Pat Travers cover)
2. Dearly Departed (Radio Edit)
3. Devil Went Down To Georgia (Charlie Daniels Band cover)
4. Crystal Clear (Acoustic Version)
5. Black Sabbath Medley
6. Gets You Through The Night
7. Angel Sky (Acoustic w/Band)
8. All On The Line (Acoustic Version)
9. Tie Your Mother Down (Queen cover)

Band Members:

Russell Allen – Vocals
Mike Orlando – Guitar
The Late AJ Pero – Drums
Erik Leonhardt – Bass

Links:
Website: www.adrenalinemob.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/adrenalinemob
Twitter: www.twitter.com/adrenalinemob