"We are Damageplan and we have a plan for damage". A cheesy pun and awful introduction to this wrangle of young Metalheads who imidiatly turned up the nose. That's all I remember of my friendship groups stance on the Paul brother's then latest band. With the recent enjoyment of Reinventing The Steel, it occurred to me, the late, great Dimebag had more in the arsenal that I was yet to experience.
Uniting with vocalist Patrick Lachman and bassist Bob Zilla, the Paul brothers embraced a then rapidly fading Nu Metal approach to Metal. Although received to lukewarm receptions at the time, age has served it well. New Found Power embraces the cultural accent fondly and injects a smoky southern flair. Vinnie eases off the gas with percussive might focusing on syncopation with his brothers power chord grooves.
As repeated spins made their craft known, it became clear that much of the Pantera persona remains with Dimebag. However, he aptly slows his playing, a shift in tone and easing of pace re-texturing his style, a subtle disguise but the southern steel is still their. His shrill squeals, bouncy bends and slick slides are all among the architecture. Dynamically, he flexes between simplistic Nu Metal alike grooves and lunges of guitar manipulation, fleshing out a soft aesthetic madness to indulge with.
Patrick Lachman does a fine job upfront, a powerful voice, one perhaps singing from the shadows. The likes of Layne Staley, Jason Popson, even Anselmo on occasion and Corey Taylor who features on a track too. Essentially, he brings a fine sound for the times but lacks his own identity. Because of this, much of the record fits the mold without breaking form as its character nails the downtrodden tone of the time.
Damageplan play the sound well but on occasion they drift into another lane. Blink Of An Eye has an unmistakably Korn distinction to its mimsy lead guitar melody. Even though New Found Power lacks a strong distinction, its execution is excellent. Very interesting to hear Dimebag nail another scenes guitar sound so well. There are even dense moments that felt as if a DJ's adding a layer of noise to the mix. Its actually Dimebag wailing on his strings. Glad I checked it out, a fun record for rocking out!
Rating: 7/10