The main flaw is that
the group seems to be caught in a time warp. They are trapped in the musical
style that defined the 80's. A constant beat and repletion of chords leaves the
songs, on the whole, flat and lifeless. The songs just meld together and it is
hard to pick out one from the other. There are no hooks and sudden change that
separates great heavy metal from nothing more than play back.
All this could be
forgivable if they had edgy lyrics to back up their image. Instead they sound
more like what a fourteen year old might say to a girlfriend, rather than a
look at the underground promised in the song titles and cover art. With lines
like "I don't want to shut you out/ I don't want you to plead or
doubt" the main reaction is one long groan.
The one bright spot
on this CD is the cover of the Beastie
Boys Fight For Your Right. The boys can play: they were more
than able to sustain this 80's classic; There is ability in the Bengal Tigers, but I think
image is getting in the way.