Blog

With legions of fans worldwide, IMPELLITTERI is known for exciting music, addictive riffs, and mesmerizing melodies. Today they proudly announce that a new album – ‘War Machine’ – is dropping on November 8th via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate this announcement, the band shares the album’s first single “Out of My Mind (Heavy Metal)” alongside a new music video available below.

‘War Machine’ features guitar hero Chris Impellitteri’s guitar virtuosity and lead singer Rob Rock’s vocal range powered by the incredible rhythmic foundation of bassist James Pulli, and former Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph.

About the album, Impellitteri had this to say:

“This new album has been an absolute thrill to make with my friends Rob Rock, James Pulli, Paul Bostaph, and our engineers Mike Plotnikoff, Jun Murakawa, and Jacob Hansen! 

“This music expresses where we are today as a band emotionally and technically! This is probably the most sincere album we have made because we just played music that moved us emotionally without chasing any trends or other bands. We definitely played our asses off! And so, I truly hope everyone gets a chance to listen to this new album and rock with us!! I am looking forward to touring behind this album!!”

With ‘War Machine,’ the IMPELLITTERI band presents a mind-blowing, highly energetic, and thrilling new musical adventure.

To date, IMPELLITTERI has sold 2 million+ records worldwide and has performed on the same stages as Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Journey, and more. The band has been featured on multiple magazine covers, television, radio, and internet shows. In its glorious past, IMPELLITTERI was also featured on MTV, VH1, and Headbangers Ball.

Chris is an iconic guitar player and a huge inspiration for many players. He has been named one of the fastest guitar players of all time by magazines like Guitar One and Guitar World, while Burrn! Japan, voted Chris as the best rock guitarist. In 2023, Impellitteri was inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame.

With ‘War Machine’ the band delivers one of their best albums to date. From the opening riff of the title track to songs like today’s “Out Of Mind (Heavy Metal)” or “Hell On Earth”, the album is a manifest of bone-crushing riffs, hyper-technical solos, and anthemic choruses.

Pre-Order ‘War Machine’ HERE

‘War Machine’ Track List:

1)   War Machine
2)   Out of My Mind (Heavy Metal)
3)   Superkingdom
4)   Wrathchild
5)   What Lies Beneath
6)   Hell On Earth
7)   Power Grab
8)   Beware the Hunter
9)   Light It Up
10) Gone Insane
11) Just Another Day

Total time:  0.43.01

IMPELLITTERI are:
Chris Impellitteri : Lead Guitarist
Rob Rock : Vocalist
James Pulli : Bassist
Paul Bostaph: Drummer

Produced By : Chris Impellitteri
Studio: NRG Recording studios , Studio B
Recorded By: Mike Plotnikoff, Jun Murakawa
Mixed & Mastered: Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios

Follow IMPELLITTERI:
Facebook
Instagram
Website

Another afternoon under a gray, cloudy sky, I am writing my review while taking my daily walk outside. Master Splinter, hailing from Portland, Oregon, and their self-titled debut studio album which was released independently on September 20th, 2024, has been my focus during this week.

To begin with, Master Splinter has left a clear mark in my memory for its production standards and music style. Although I experienced the record in different moods and environments numerous times this week, my attention has always been on the general picture rather than any details. So right now, I feel that I have a clear idea of the American collective and what they are trying to achieve with their approach.

The foundations of Master Splinter go back to the late 80s and early 90s, incorporating heavy rock influences from Metallica with the psychedelics of Black Sabbath, including a twist of stoner rock, and even a bit of sludge metal. Those into heavy music will have a familiar experience while listening to this record, just as I did. It took me back to the times when I used to jam such music with my friends every week during high school. That was when I fell in love with this kind of music, which changed everything for me.

Production-wise, Master Splinter is an album made up of pieces from different periods, individuals, and producers, which can be felt while listening. Although the songs have a cohesive musical theme from start to finish, I sensed differences in the vocal mix, dynamics, and track volumes.

Moreover, I read that the band went through challenges, and in the end, the guitarist and vocalist Mick Arrell had to learn how to produce and mix this album himself.

Lastly, the album's theme of heavy, psychedelic, and stoner rock influences—as mentioned earlier—is reminiscent of Metallica’s Load/Reload/Garage Inc. periods with its approach to song compositions, toning, and general sound characteristics. The music is mainly led by the guitars in a Western/American musical language, accompanied by a drummer who brings prog and psychedelic vibes, and a bass player who also contributes to vocals. The trio, without a doubt, has a dynamic altogether, which you can easily tell by their choice of music style and from checking out some of their rehearsal videos uploaded to YouTube.

On the other side of the coin, I might argue a few points as someone who has worked on such music for a long time.

Firstly, Master Splinter proves something for the collective, yet not for the outside world due to two reasons: limited musical language and a familiar sound. Although everything was done by the book in the making, it lacks personal characterization, aesthetics, and the artistic edge that will help distinguish the band and help them grow. As a musician and music enthusiast, I would enjoy listening to a passionate band playing such music live, yet I would not prefer listening to the record for the reasons I mentioned.

The general sound character of the album does not entirely belong to Master Splinter. It has such a familiar quality that it does no longer matter if the band is playing their original material or a classic like Master of Puppets, the feeling is the same. In 2024, this kind of record will provide the collective with an foundation, but does not help revealing their potentials. This was the main reason why I did not feel the urge to dive deeper into the album.

The musical language, on the other hand, also contributed to the sense of familiarity, reminding me of Clutch, Black Sabbath, and Metallica as mentioned earlier. However, as a guitar player myself, I could not make out enough fresh ideas from this record to feel the need to keep listening.

If I were their producer for an upcoming album, I would strongly suggest working on a sound that highlights their personalities, and then the individual strengths. They are a live-playing band, so their music should crafted accordingly.

In conclusion, Master Splinter is a well-produced debut that will certainly appeal to fans of classic heavy rock and stoner metal. While the album offers a nostalgic trip through familiar sounds, apparently the band is still in search of their own voice. Nonetheless, it’s a solid foundation for what I hope will be a more distinctive and adventurous future. Thank you for reading.

Master Splinter on the Web:

Master Splinter

Home page of Master Splinter, a rock group from Portland. Master Splinter mixes psych, heavy metal, stoner and grunge in a whimsical yet pummeling hard rock package.

Master Splinter

The chronicles of Master Splinter, a Portland, Oregon based trio of super heroes that specialize in sizzling hot riffs, bumping baselines and tub thumping drums to make your booty shake while they melt your face. Master Splinter is: Mick – Guitar/vocals/producer Jason – Bass/vocals Erin Skidz – Drums

YouTube

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

Master Splinter

Master Splinter. 778 vind-ik-leuks · 70 personen praten hierover. 3 unshowered shape shifters on a mission to revive rock n roll.

Facebook

Master Splinter

Artist · 9.4K monthly listeners.

Spotify

Join the ranks of the metal explorers. Dive into 'Monsters of Metal Underground' and unearth the future legends of the genre.

The Doors will turn 60 next year — something drummer John Densmore says the kids who formed the legendary rock group in Los Angeles could never have imagined.

“When I was a kid, 60 years old seemed like, ‘Well, you’ll be dead any minute,’” Densmore tells Billboard with a laugh. “And here we are.”

To read more, please visit Billboard.com.