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Grimmstine: Grimmstine

Grimmstine: Grimmstine

Melodic Heavy/Power Metal
Rating: 4.0/5.0

Independent/Self-Promotion
www.stevegrimmett.co.uk
www.myspace.com/grimmstine
Review: Craig Hartranft,  07.12.2009

Grimmstine is the new venture between legendary metal vocalist Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper, Onslaught, Lionsheart, et al) and North Dakota (yeah, that's right) guitar master, Steve Stine. The band is rounded out by the excellent rhythm section of Dave Johnson (d) and Hat (b) from the North Dakota metal band, Sons Of Poseidon. Grimmstine's debut offers a massive 15 tracks of melodic heavy metal which is often deeply affected by melodic hard rock.

Grimmstine as a work does not necessarily follow the Grimmett's well known past and path with Grim Reaper or Onslaught though obvious elements are there. Many songs have the same speed and heaviness like 911 or Prisoner. However, with the combination of some metal ballads like You'll Never Know and You Give Me Love and the strong groove and big hooks of Supernatural or To Catch A Killer, Grimmstine presses beyond those early works with heaviness tempered by infectious melody. Additionally, Grimmett's vocals have a deeper more controlled quality than most anything he's done, especially his early Grim Reaper stuff.

Some listeners might say (and some critics have agreed) there is really no musical congruity within Grimmstine. But, I would say the coherence is in varied arrangements; this work is not eclectic or uneven in the least. Rather, it expresses some true creativity in Grimmett and Stine's collaboration. Honestly, Grimmett has never sounded better. Stine is an accomplished guitarist and has obvious moments of grandeur as on You'll Never Know and Prisoner, but he's hardly setting the world on fire with novelty. Actually, for my money, I think Hat and Johnson bring the house down. They're simply superb on Got Nothing But Time, To Catch A Killer, and Afraid Of The Dark.

Grimmstine's debut is a solid and well-crafted display of classic melodic heavy metal. Grimmett and Stine are a match made in metal heaven creating versatile melodic metal which displays both their talents. Very recommended!

In Short

Grimmstine's debut is a solid and well-crafted display of classic melodic heavy metal. Grimmett and Stine are a match made in metal heaven creating versatile melodic metal which displays both their talents. Very recommended!

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