PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
For any fan of Euro metal, Herman Frank must be high on everybody’s list, Without any doubt Herman Frank is one of the most prestigious German metal guitarists of the past 30 years. His dynamic compositions with their raging riffs, hooks and intelligent virtuoso solos have graced not only the works of the German cult band Victory, which he founded in the mid-eighties, and its successor group Moon’Doc, but also as a member of the legendary Accept in the early eighties, appearing on a number of important songs on their classic ‘Restless and Wild’ and ‘Balls To the Wall’ albums.
Herman released his last solo effort, ‘Loyal to None’, in 2009 and this new album ‘Right in the Guts’ see’s Herman continuing to combine elements of Rock, Metal and Blues. But Herr Frank has been very busy this year. Not only has he released this new solo record but he also released an album with German Thrash Metal hero’s ‘ Accept’ earlier this year called ‘Stalingrad’.
Existing Fans of Herman know that he is a real high-quality guitarist and there’s nothing on this album to dispute this. His combination of heaviness and melody is played with absolute ease, as he flits between them, it is a joy to hear him play.
Songs like the opening track ‘Roaring Thunder’ is aptly named as it comes thundering out of your speakers with Herman’s thrashy guitar riffs, and then batters you around the head with them.
He then offers up his more melodic style of playing on songs like ‘Falling to Pieces’ and ‘Starlight’. Yet what keeps this cd rocking along nicely though, is the pure drive and energy from the band, Herman has assembled. From singer Rick Altzi through to the powerful rhythm section of Bass player Peter Pichl and Drummer Michael Wolpers.
The overall feel and sound to this release is very much 80’s metal, and the stand out tracks on this album for me are, ‘Right In Your Guts’, ‘Falling To Pieces’, ‘Raise Your Hand’, ‘Hell Isn’t Far’, and ‘Black Star’. Though to be fair, any, and all are worthy of attention.
A worthy 8/10
Track Listing
1. Roaring Thunder
2. Right In Your Guts
3. Ivory Gate
4. Vengeance
5. Starlight
6. Falling To Pieces
7. Raise Your Hand
8. Waiting
9. Hell Isn’t Far
10. King’s Call
11. Lights Are Out
12. Black Star
13. So They Run
Guitars: Herman Frank
Vocals: Rick Altzi
Bass: Peter Pichl
Drums: Michael Wolpers
Guitars: Mamalitsidis Cristos
Frank Herman-Right In The Guts is out now.
