Former BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN AND HELL, and DIO drummer Vinny Appice has joined forces with ex-PANTERA and DOWN bassist Rex Brown in KILL DEVIL HILL. Rounding out the quartet is previously unknown vocalist Dewey Bragg, and guitarist Mark Zavon who’s played with STEPHEN PEARCY and RATT. Make no mistake, Appice is leading the musical direction in this band, as there’s very little resemblance to anything the Cowboys From Hell ever did. This 11-song CD starts out strong with the energized ‘War Machine’ and groove-laden ‘Hangman’, ‘Voodoo Doll’ is passable but definitely sounds dated. From there it’s all downhill… ‘Gates Of Hell’ is a plodding attempt at classic doom, while ‘Rise From The Shadows’ walks all too safely on very familiar ground. ‘We’re All Gonna Die’ features a prime example of the clichéd, stereotypical lyrics that plague Kill Devil Hill with Bragg singing, “Finger on the trigger, foot in the grave.” Really surprised that highly respected producer Warren Riker (DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, CATHEDRAL) would let such drivel slide. ‘Time + Time Again’ continues the murky, dreary ride. Thankfully ‘Old Man’ picks up the pace, but unfortunately sounds like something guys north of 45 (Brown’s 47 and Appice’s 54) would write as it lacks freshness and vitality. ‘Mysterious Ways’ is the token ballad, beset with acoustic guitar and more lacklustre lyrics: “Summer night under an autumn moon, how do you shine so bright?” – now that sounds like it was written by an inexperienced teenager! Two songs to go and it almost doesn’t matter as boredom has long since set in, with ‘Up In Flames’ failing to relieve the throbbing monotony. ‘Revenge’ sees Appice finally come alive behind the kit, but it’s too little too late. Of note to collectors, the iTunes and vinyl versions include exclusive bonus tracks – ‘Strange’ and ‘Drawbridge’; neither of which were available at press time.