Reviews: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Fred Mika - Withdrawal Symptoms
   
Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock Produced By: Fred Mika & Netto Mello
Record Label: Roxx Records Country Of Origin: Brazil
Year Released: 2018 Artist Website:
Tracks: 11 Rating: 80%
Running Time: 49:27

Fred Mika - Withdrawal Symptoms

Solo albums from drummers do not have a reputation that inspires the highest degree of confidence.  Ask Kiss fans, who will attest that of the four solo albums concurrently released by each of its members in 1978, Peter Criss’ was the least well received due in no small part to musical direction to feature a ‘retro flavored pop-rock sound with a dance-able edge’ (as one reviewer put it).  Robert Sweet’s turn of the century solo offering Love Trash, obviously, is better of the two but did not necessarily endear itself to Stryper devotees either when factoring its goofy cover art and grunge influenced modern rock musical direction bereft of guitar soloing.  As one might imagine, I have developed certain preconceived misgivings as it pertains to the drummer solo album segment… 

...which surprisingly are not realized in regards to the latest drummer to produce a solo work, Fred Mika and his spring of 2018 Roxx Records debut offering Withdrawal Symptoms.  Many will recall Mika from his work in Sunroad, a Goiania, Brazil based Christian metal and hard rock act credited with six full-length albums and one EP over a twenty-year period.  On Withdrawal Symptoms, he does the better job staying true to the signature sound of the group in which he has gained renown by walking a fine line between blues based classic hard rock, AOR/commercial hard rock and heavier melodic and traditional metal.  At the very least, he approaches the musical heights of the 85% Angelic Warlord graded most recent Sunroad album from 2017 Wing Seven (also Roxx) and in the process casts aside all doubts as to the aptitude of drummers to create a quality solo work.

One area in which Mika breaks from the mold on Withdrawal Symptoms is by going the ‘vocalist by committee’ route not unlike Liberty N’ Justice by matching the right vocalist with the right song, a total of eight spread out over nine songs.  “Wired In” gets things going in this capacity, with gritty to classic tenor front man Carl Dixon (The Guess Who) leading the way over a reserved backdrop of keyboards and guitars that has commercial AOR and melodic hard rock written all over it.  Mika sets the stage with his precise timekeeping abilities, as one might expect on a solo album from a drummer.

Taking the heavier heading with its gutsy guitar edges and more forthright tempo, “Artwork Nightmare” perfectly suits the recognizable raspy and soulful croon of Mad Max front man Michael Voss, whom separates himself from backing vocals of a contrasting lighter nature.  Sunroad lead vocalist Andre Adonis, taking a multi-instrumental role throughout the project in handling guitars, bass and keyboards, deftly lends a stretch of bluesy soloing.

One of my choice cuts is “Sly Side Effect” with a seventies classic hard rock sound to feature a moving, bass enhanced tempo and outlying keyboards that bring to mind Modest attraction either way.  Another good choice in terms of vocalists with Haig Berberian (Dogman) allowing for an at times gruff and others melodic vocal delivery that fits the burly sounds at hand.

Adonis steps to the mic on “Silence In Heaven”, lending his raw and emotional style to a song trending commercial hard rock territory with a decided eighties basis.  As one of the albums slower cuts, it plods front to back in approaching semi-ballad territory, as lush vocal melodies and tight harmonies hold sway front to back.

Another showstopper is creatively entitled “Saints Spirits & Slaves Sinners”, another AOR-ish track with an even joining of crisp guitars and crystalline keyboards that form a convincing union with heartfelt and grainy front man Rod Marenna.  Halfway through the song peaks as it repeats its refrain in unassailable fashion prior to Adonis stepping forward with another bluesy lead guitar run.

A cover to “First Day Without You”, originally appearing on 2006 Sunroad album Flying N’ Floating, ensues but in a six minute acoustic form.  It works beautifully, as the songs unmistakable melody stands alongside classic tenor front man Daniel Vargas as keyboards distantly decorate the backdrop.  The classical elements cannot help but bring to mind Rob Rock’s acoustic ballad “Beautiful Lady” (off Eyes Of Eternity from 2003).

Two-minute acoustic instrumental “Sharppia” leads the way to “Dawning Of Aquarius”, one of my album favorites as found in its upbeat straight on metal sound to feature quite the teeming guitar focus, including rhythm guitar but also revealed in bountiful lead guitar.  Providing a darker nuance is the perfectly placed lower register and Dio influenced vocals of Steph Honde (Hollywood Monsters).

“Second Skin Arena” also highlights a standout vocal performance, as Mario Pastore lends a powerful Dickinson like delivery to another cut skirting traditional metal territory.  Guitar playing with a neo-classical flair also ingrains the song (somewhat akin to Narnia) as it maneuvers between moments both brash and forward (to feature quite the catchy hook) and smoothly composed (in slowing to a near crawl).

Cameo vocal performance from Adonis on albums closing Nazareth cover “Miss Misery” (off Hair Of The Dog from 1975).  With its driven and rumbling inclining, the song reflects upon the doom-ish with its astringent riffing and Adonis reaching down and offering some heavy-set gravel to his vocal form.  Lead guitar rooted in traditional blues further builds upon the weighty aura.

No complaint regarding production, which might trend towards the darker but still allows room for pertinent details to stand out, particularly acoustic guitar, guitar leads and keyboards.  Lead vocals end up laced properly as well.  Likewise, packaging gets the job done in that I take to the red and blue tined cover art and large white font to make lyrics easy to read.  Lone complaint is that the small font used for credits on the back of the insert can be difficult to discern (I am forced to use a magnifying glass).

Best way to summarize would be to state that in Withdrawal Symptoms, Mika has produced a very fine solo effort, at least as far as drummers are concerned.  Musically, the album does not stray from what Sunroad does best - as presented on Wing Seven - with its melding of the heavier (melodic metal and bluesy hard rock) and commercial (AOR/melodic hard rock).  No misgivings in terms of songwriting in that the album presents with nine solid songs, albeit two are covers, not to mention performance in that I enjoy the plethora of guest vocalists and Adonis’ guitar work.  In the end, as fine a solo album I have heard from a drummer.

Review by Andrew Rockwell 

Track Listing: “The Coming Of Symptoms (Intro)” (:50), “Wired In” (4:20), “Artwork Nightmare” (4:22), “Sly Side Effect” (5:32), “Silence In Heaven” (4:43), “Saints Spirits & Slaves Sinners” (5:36), “First Day Without You” (6:07), “Sharppia” (2:00), “Dawning Of Aquarius” (6:11), “Second Skin Arena” (5:16), “Miss Misery” (4:39)

Musicians
Fred Mika - Drums, Percussion & Talk Box
Andre Adonis - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass & Keyboards
Carl Dixon, Michael Voss, Haig Berberian, Rod Marenna, Daniel Vargas, Steph Honde & Mario Pastore - Lead Vocals

 

Reviews: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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