Brain Surgeons NYC Denial of Death 2006 Cellsum Records

Recognise the name Albert Bouchard ... you should, former Blue Oyster Cult's drummer forms part of the solid rhythm section of this hard and heavy rock band Brain Surgeons! But that's not the only ace that this band have, on vocals and guitar we have Deborah Frost, an ex rock critic with raw rasping vocals, lead guitarist is none other than ex-Manowar Ross 'The Boss' and last but not least is the man responsible for the completion of that previously mentioned rock solid rhythm section David Hirschberg on bass. Now after reading that don't be thinking that you have an idea about what the Brain Surgeons sound like, nothing will have prepared you for the hard rock onslaught that this release will unleash on your ears. Opening with the mighty 'Rocket Science' one thing that stands out is Deborah's husky Patti Smyth-esque vocals, if you have begun to think that female vocals in rock music can now only be soaring operatic sopranos, Deborah is here to prove you wrong. 'Dark secrets' is almost sinister in it's heaviness, Ross's guitar roaring over the top of the thudding drums and bass, the whispered backing vocals adding to the eerie quality that the song possesses. Great track, one of my favourite's on the CD. The chorus to 'Constantine's Sword' is another stand out moment on the album for me. There are not many drummers past or present that could hold a candle to Bouchard on 'Jimmy Boots Fetish' the intro is so good, that it almost distracts you from the rest of the band, however then Ross leaps in with a few screeching guitar riffs, just to reaffirm that he is in fact... boss. These 4 musicians make up a great combination and seemed to be hell bent on creating music that's as heavy as hell and sure to leave those who thought they had any preconceived ideas about the Brain Surgeons sound standing with their mouths open. 8/10 Kerri Available from CD Baby.