{"id":35472,"date":"2013-12-09T14:29:21","date_gmt":"2013-12-09T19:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=35472"},"modified":"2014-03-17T20:43:52","modified_gmt":"2014-03-18T01:43:52","slug":"red-dragon-cartel-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2013\/red-dragon-cartel-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Dragon Cartel | Red Dragon Cartel<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alissa Ordabai<\/span>
\n– Senior Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"RedFifteen years after he last released original material, Jake E. Lee comes out of semi-retirement with a coup of an album. The tunes are brand new, and so is the band which enlists his old friend Ronnie Mancuso on the bass, and the singer and the drummer who are no superstars but hard-rocking daredevils recruited through Facebook. But that\u2019s not the only thing that tells you this album is about being yourself, and not what anyone expects you to be. Lee\u2019s playing goes straight for the gut, bypassing the need to prove his shred god status or to recreate the past. <\/p>\n

There is no getting away from one\u2019s roots, though. On opener \u201cDeceived\u201d the chorus struts the vibe of Lee\u2019s time with Ozzy with such swagger, and the hook delivers such a soulful payoff to Ratt, the pride he takes in his history couldn\u2019t be more obvious. Soaring leads set over a powerhouse groove together cook up a good-time anthem to light up the choosiest radio waves.<\/p>\n

But top-notch songwriting shouldn\u2019t surprise you \u2013 Lee had enough time to accumulate a treasure trove of hooks and riffs during his downtime. And it\u2019s not all party sparklers or metal riff-mongering. Standout \u201cFeeder\u201d may boast banging verses and an instant-grip chorus, but when it comes to the guitar leads, you get the first taste of the rough-edged disquiet brewing underneath. <\/p>\n

More exploration follows on \u201cFall from the Sky\u201d where with almost child-like honesty the guitar tells a story within a story, digging so deep you know it\u2019s the heart speaking, not the ego \u2013 a rare case with players of such phenomenal technique as Lee\u2019s. Even when he tackles traditional heavy metal as on \u201cWasted\u201d, the slide solo takes the formula outside of the box and into open space. \u201cSlave\u201d unravels this familiar-meets-the-unexpected game further: a 70s-style pop-metal tune clashes with jagged avant-garde guitar so that sparks keep flying while you are trying to figure how he can make a classic format sound so new. <\/p>\n

\"Jake<\/p>\n

But you have to wait for \u201cBig Mouth\u201d featuring guest vocalist Maria Brink for tension to reach the absolute apex. Here the industrial riff \u2013 slow and deliberate \u2013 serves as the launching pad for Brink going berserk in spasms of soul-baring paroxysm. The guitar answers her challenge with a measured, knife-on-glass nastiness — not as hysterical, but unhinged enough for the track to start resembling an exorcism. <\/p>\n

There surely were demons to be driven out on this record, and judging by the peaceful closer \u201cExquisite Tenderness\u201d, Lee did manage to get some heavy stuff out of his system. Sounding thoroughly modern and self-aware, he comes back as a man who knows both life and the business he\u2019s in. Vocalist D. J. Smith resonates well with the vibe: not trying to play at being a rock star (although expertly tipping his hat to Ozzy), but delivering the true emotion of a real rock singer \u2013 dirty, gritty, and spontaneous. Lee\u2019s old friend bassist Ronnie Mancuso also comes through as a perfect team-mate. After all, it was he and producer Kevin Churko who first started talking to Lee about writing new material.<\/p>\n

You have to admire not only their persuasive power, but also contributions from Churko\u2019s son Kane who became Lee\u2019s and Mancuso\u2019s writing partner. A number of stars have made guest appearances: Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, the original Iron Maiden singer Paul Di\u2019Anno, former Pantera bassist Rex Brown, Todd Kearns from Slash\u2019s Conspirators, Scott Reeder of Kyuss, Jeremy Spencer of Five Finger Death Punch, and the new metal diva Maria Brink. They all make this record happen, but it\u2019s still Lee\u2019s scrupulous honesty that pulls you in the most. Superstar virtuosos stepping off the beaten track in search of their true self is as rare these days as ever. <\/p>\n

Red Dragon Cartel\u2019s eponymous debut album is released in the U.K. on Monday, January 27 and in North America on Tuesday, January 28. <\/p>\n

Genre: Hard Rock<\/p>\n

Personnel:
\nJake E. Lee \u2013 guitars
\nRonnie Mancuso \u2013 bass
\nD.J.Smith \u2013 vocals
\nJonas Fairley \u2013 drums<\/p>\n

Guest musicians:
\nRobin Zander
\nPaul Di\u2019Anno
\nRex Brown
\nTodd Kearns
\nBrent Fitz
\nScott Reeder
\nMaria Brink
\nJeremy Spencer<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n1. Deceived
\n2. Shout It Out
\n3. Feeder (feat. Robin Zander)
\n4. Fall From The Sky (Seagull)
\n5. Wasted (feat. Paul Di\u2019Anno)
\n6. Slave
\n7. Big Mouth (feat. Maria Brink)
\n8. War Machine
\n9. Redeem Me (feat. Sass Jordan)
\n10. Exquisite Tenderness<\/p>\n

Label: Frontiers Records<\/p>\n

Online: http:\/\/reddragoncartel.com; www.facebook.com\/reddragoncartel; https:\/\/twitter.com\/reddragoncartel<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 9\/10<\/p>\n

Red Dragon Cartel – Feeder Lyric Video (Official \/ Feat. Jake E. Lee featuring Robin Zander on vocals …<\/p>\n