Post by jptheprofessor on Jan 30, 2006 0:23:26 GMT -5
FLORD – THE NEXT LEVEL (no label) Central PA heavy metallists Flord set out to up the ante and intensity on their second studio offering; thus the album’s title, The Next Level. Over the album’s ten tracks, Flord dishes out more punishing, scathing, in-your-face heavy metal; anchored by new drummer Don Frye’s rigid, pulverizing beats and the tenacious, nip-and-tuck swarming riffage of guitarist Phil Keith and bassist Tom Yannitelli. Atop this volatile instrumental backdrop, singer Butch Woodward picks up the anger, sternness and emotional intensity where he left off on Flord’s self-titled debut; frequently elevating his delivery into enraged, explosive howls and roars as he vents lyrics about ignorance, deception, strength, personality clashes, integrity and more. Flord’s impact is full and immediate on obvious blunt-force assaults such as the album-opener “Clearmind,” the title track “Next Level,” “Why You Hate Me” and “Sublime;” also on two rebellious shout-along anthems, “Respect” and “Get Up.” Flord demonstrates a more brooding brand of metal intensity on “Questions” and “Broke and Defeated;” and incorporates a funkier presence into their aggression on the album closer “Outside.” Recorded at Mud-Hut Studios in Sharon, and co-produced by the band and Bill Dodd, The Next Level sounds tighter, cleaner and fuller than Flord’s debut, and maintains stronger momentum and consistency in its intensity from start to end. Flord successfully raises the bar on The Next Level, honing their hard-hitting, forceful sound to a sharper, leaner and meaner edge. Fans of bare-knuckled metal fierceness should be pleased with the goods Flord delivers here. (Can be obtained through the group’s website, www.getflord.com.)