RED DRAGON CARTEL – Patina

7.2/10

RED DRAGON CARTEL - Patina - 7.2/10

7.2/10

Summary

Frontiers Records
Release date: November 19, 2018

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User Review

8.5/10 (1 vote)

With all of the problems and bad PR surrounding the Red Dragon Cartel debut album, many were surprised that the band was able to release a second album at all, much less a good one. Patina, like the band’s debut, is another fine collection of blues driven, dirty Hard Rock. On this album, the band has a more developed sound than their first, and even Jake E. Lee’s playing is a bit tighter. His tone is stronger than ever, and this album is truly candy for the ears of guitar players. Crunchy, richly harmonic riffs abound.

Between the release of Patina and the first album, singer Darren Smith left and then re-joined the band. Hopefully the band has worked everything out because he sounds great here, just like he did on the debut. His gravelly, smoky voice is an excellent fit for these back-alley sounding Blues Rock numbers.

While Patina might not have the up-tempo metal edge that fans of Lee’s work with Ozzy might want, those who dug the Badlands material will be right at home. That being said, any fan of quality guitar tones and raunchy riffs will dig this release.

Highlights of the album include “Speedbag”, “Bitter”, and the creeping and psychedelic “Chasing Ghosts”.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!

Author

Maxxxwell Carlisle

Maxxxwell was a reviewer and the host of The Maxed Out Metal Hour here on Metal Express Radio. He is the current lead guitarist for LA based metal veterans Hellion. In addition to his ongoing role in Hellion, he has also released 5 albums as a solo artist and appeared as a guest writer and soloist on Michael Angelo Batio's Intermezzo album, named one of the Top 5 shred albums of 2014 by Guitar World Magazine. He continues to collaborate with various Metal musicians and teaches guitar technique and Metal composition via Skype. Additionally, he is a former competitive bodybuilder and enjoys a lifestyle based around health, fitness and Metal.
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