Over the last few years,a few “supergroups” have come to the fore. So along with Black Country Communion,Chickenfoot and Them Crooked Vultures,we can now add the very worthy Kill Devil Hill,the brain child of drummer Vinnie Appice (Black Sabbath,Heaven And Hell and Dio). The seeds of the band were sown in 2009 when Vinnie enlisted guitarist Mark Savon,best known for his work with Ratt who sent a demo tape to Vinnie with vocals from ex thrash metal band Pissing Razors member Jason Dewey Bragg. The line up has been completed by bassist Rex Brown (Pantera,Down) who joined after Vinnie sent him a demo of album opener War Machine.
The album will be released on Steamhammer/SPV records on March 26th and is a stone cold classic 11 tracks of hard rock/metal! It kicks off with the storming riff and vocal howl of War Machine and there is no let up in intensity to the juddering riffs of closer Revenge. My first impression of the album was of Facelift era Alice In Chains as each song opens with a massive riff except for the sublime acoustic Mysterious Ways. The vocals of Jason dominate the album,a rich,soulful performance which brought to mind the late Layne Staley. Personal highlights are the aforementioned acoustic Mysterious Ways,the brooding menace of Gates Of Hell and the opening riff of the uptempo Old Man.
Band line up :–
Mark Savon-Guitars.
Jason Dewey Bragg-Vocals.
Rex Brown-Bass.
Vinnie Appice-Drums.
War Machine.
Hangman.
Voodoo Doll.
Gates Of Hell.
Rise From The Shadows.
We’re All Gonna Die.
Time And Time Again.
Old Man.
Mysterious Ways.
Up In Flames.
Revenge.
I award the album 9.5/10