F5 - The Reckoning

"The Reckoning" hasn’t grabbed me the way that the band’s debut, "A Drug For All Seasons", did. I’m not sure what it is, because when you look at it track by track or by the performances on the album, it seems to be better. F5 has really ceased being David Ellefson’s post MEGADETH project and become just "the band featuring David Ellefson". While this album isn’t quite as good as "A Drug For All Seasons", there’s no denying that it’s a solid effort.

The album combines modern metal with thrash and power metal elements. The songs are slick and commercial in the vein of bands like Sevendust and Disturbed, but also have an edge to them. The songs are pretty good, with decent hooks and catchy melodies but overall Ι believe that we would not remember the album for a long as the band might believe.

It’s interesting this time around that Ellefson’s work is really not a factor in evaluating this allbum. Sure, his playing is beyond reproach as always, but ultimately this album focuses in on two aspects - drums and vocals. Vocalist Dale Steele seems to have completely distanced himself from his flat, yet somewhat interesting first taste of working with known musicians in Rich Ward of "Stuck Mojo’s" short-lived "Sick Speed" project. For F5, Steele has added a bit more grit to his vocals which makes his overall  performance better, and as a proof to that is "Love Is Dead". Where he used to be a purely clean vocalist, now the way he sings make songs like "Rank And File" look like more of a "Disturbed" way than ever before.

Speaking of the "Disturbed" sound, drummer Jimmy DeGrasso really seems to have taken up that cause with his playing in F5. Known more as a straight forward rock drummer in Alice Cooper and Y&T, DeGrasso completely switches gears with the most modern sounding playing of his career. Sounding more like Morgan Rose than…well…himself. The band are complimented nicely by some solid guitar rhythms from John Davis and Steve Conley. As guitarists, these guys don’t do a lot to distinguish themselves as much more than rhythm providers as they tend to stay in the more modern approach, which might be the only problem I can point out. Sure, there are solos on the album but overall the guitars are a bit too rythm instead of a standout part.

The bottom line here is that if you liked the first album, you will like this one. If you like music by bands like SEVENDUST or DISTURBED, then this is a good alternate title to have in your collection. It’s good stuff, although not quite as good as their first release. It’s still recommended, though.