Does what it says on the tin... now with extra shredding
On the face of it, it's pretty straightforward – there's a mime on the cover, the title is 'No Vocals Allowed'... so there's no singing? Correct. That, and it's the 8th album from the critically and commercially endorsed American trio, which should be the best clue.
Think that's all there is to it? Think again. Putting the 'mental' back into 'instrumental', TRBB have produced a stunningly powerful wall of sound. Axe shredding riffage sits side by side with time signature bending melodic runs. Whilst remaining in safer territory than, for example, Joe Satriani, it still leaves ample room for some incredible interplay between the three (only three??) instruments. Eighties metal-lite finds itself back-to-back with garage rock and progressive noodling as the album rolls smoothly from track to track. It has a distinctive style and clean sound whilst still crossing several genres.
It seems to temporarily run out of puff at The Journey, which seems to drag along more as an exercise in restraint, to prove it can be done on a shredding album, rather than setting out with any purpose. And that's the main criticism of the album: if you can't play more than a few songs in a row on Guitar Hero you're going to loathe the run-after-run of guitarwork after a few tracks. On the other hand, you will inevitably find yourself playing air guitar at some point. Yes, the tracks are short. But there are thirteen of them.
It's all about dynamics: letting the guitar speak for the guitarist rather than hiding it. The precise recording allows for maximum impact on every sustain or subtle change of tone. Far from being straightforward shredding it ebbs and flows from party-starter Juice, to the tremoloed and sedate beginning of Friends, to the bizarrely disjointed Hiccup. And in case your new years weren't metal enough, a version of Aulde Lang Syne that will help that party go with a bang.
For anyone who's not already a fan of this kind of music i.e. impatient, take one or two tracks and don't call me in the morning. For the many existing fans it's an exceptional addition to their impressive back catalogue.