Cage Science of Annihilation
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
If there is one band that is carrying the Heavy Metal mantle once held by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, that band is clearly Cage. If this was Heavy Metal Highlander, and there could only be one … that ONE would be Cage. It’s surreal how talented this band is, from their songwriting ability, to their musicianship, to their lead singer Sean Peck, who’s vocal ability redefines “multi-faceted.”
And what’s more Metal than having albums titled Darker Than Black, Hell Destroyer, and now, the new release Science of Annihilation? Can these guys do anything that doesn’t shriek Metal?
The new release opens with a spoken-word intro and bleeds into “Planet Crusher,” a devastating heavy ripper. Peck wastes little time in hitting notes no one but Halford or maybe Tony Harnell could pull off. New drummer Norm Leggio brings a Thrash element to the band, pummeling with a ferocity you’ve never heard in Cage before. Adding him just makes Cage that much better, and you’ll hear why later when you get to the end of the CD.
“Scarlet Witch” is one of those songs that rides the ridge between Thrash and Power Metal. There’s definitely something majestic about the pacing of the track, and Peck’s otherwordly vocals during the chorus bring you back to NWOBHM days. The chunky riff makes you want to sing along with it as much as you try to sing along with Peck. It’s one of the best songs on Science of Annihilation.
In an interview with Hardrock Haven, Peck explained how the best song on the release, “Black River Falls,” came to be written. They were doing a tour of the Midwest, and in Wisconsin, a band they were traveling with explained a horror story about the area. Peck immediately thought “this needs to be a song!” And damn is it ever. The chorus, especially when you hear, “Little children — why won’t they die!” sticks in your head forever after hearing it just once. But that’s not only why the song is incredible. The vast and beautiful tempo change at the end, Peck’s Black Metal and King Diamond vocal forays, and then the story itself makes this the only candidate for Heavy Metal Song of the Year.
You will hear another otherwordly shriek from Peck as “Power of a God” opens. Guitarists Dave Garcia and Anthony McGinnis are one of those guitar tandems that allow you to put them in the same sentence as Judas Priest, and you’ll get it on this track as well. Their mammoth riffing and intricate leads are a site to aurally behold. This track just crushes.
Another killer track is “Stranger in Black.” The searing opening guitar leads pull you in before Peck slays you with his steroid-fueled vocals. The machine-gun staccato vocal rhythms of the chorus really force the lyrics into your skull.
The only time they allow you to catch your breath is when you hit the final trilogy, starting with “Spectre of War.” This is Peck singing the lowest you’ll hear on the entire release, and the guitars are dripping with uber-melody. Of course, it’s Cage, so this only lasts for a minute, and then the guitars become menacing as Peck flaunts his vocal prowess and range once again. This track flows into the title song, “Science of Annihilation,” and Leggio is doing some 200 beats per minute drum explosions. It’s almost not fair to other bands how good these guys are …
Cage, based on their last three releases and culminating with Science of Annihilation, have positioned themselves to be the best Heavy Metal band in U.S. And if you think Metallica is even in the narrative, then go listen to St. Anger and shut up. Cage IS American Heavy Metal, they are the unit of measurement all others need to be measured against … and inevitably left found wanting.
Online: Official site
Track listing:
The Power That Feeds
Planet Crusher
Scarlet Witch
Spirit Or Vengeance
Black River Falls
Operation Overlord
Power Of A God
Speed Kills
Stranger In Black
Die Glocke
Spectre Of War
Science Of Annihilation
At The Edge Of Infinite
HRH Rating: 9.2/10