IMPELLITTERI - System X
October 2, 2002, 22 years ago
(SPV)
This one is old news for some people, as it's been available in Japan for the better part of a year, but a new European record deal and stunning material on System X makes it worth the space on this page. Those that are familiar with Impellitteri won't be surprised to hear that this is another feast of Mr. Chris' high octane Euro-metal a la Malmsteen and Racer X's Paul Gilbert. The man positively kills on lead-off track 'Rock N' Roll Heroes', 'End Of The World' and 'Gotta Get Home'. The man is a master of the shred, the riff and the groove, technically adept without sounding like a broomstick-up-the-ass wankmaster (check out the high protein ultra-organic solos on 'Perfect Crime' and 'Slow Kill'). Come to think of it, the guys in Helloween should have asked him to join 'em; that’s how good he is. But, in spite of all this, the star of the show is the reinstated Graham Bonnet, who sang on Impellitteri's debut in 1988. As good as Rob Rock was with this band, Bonnet has blasted the seams of Rock's shoes apart and created a monster. System X is easily Bonnet's most aggressive performance ever, a bellowing and brawling vocal that crushes you with sheer intensity from first note to last, reminding people why he's considered to be one of the best voices in rock and metal on the planet. With him on the roster, Impellitteri has gone from being a third tier band to a contender for the heavyweight belt.
