HITTMAN – Destroy All Humans

Blast From The Past

Hittman, the ’80s Heavy Metal band that features Dirk Kennedy (Anthrax when they were forming in the garage) on vocals has released their first studio album in 27 years. After the recent success of their re-release of the original self-titled album, the band decided it was time to bring some new material to the table. Returning to the band with Kennedy are original guitarists Jim Bacchi and John Kristen, with Greg Bier (bass) and Joe Fugazi (drums) taking over the rhythm section. Destroy All Humans offers a mix of styles that take the listener back to an earlier time in Heavy Metal history.

Rainbow to Queensrÿche

Right from the opening keyboard notes on the title track “Destroy All Humans” the listener is reminded of early Rainbow, and as the song develops it bears an even stronger resemblance to Rainbow’s “Gates of Babylon” with the main guitar riff mimicking Blackmore. The song has enough variety to be it’s own thing, with Kennedy delivering a strong vocal performance throughout. The overall production sounds like it could have been mixed right along side Operation Mindcrime by Queensrÿche, as even Kennedy’s vocals bear a strong resemblance to Geoff Tate on more than one song.

Favorite Tracks

Along with the title track there is “Breathe”, a catchy 6/8 vehicle that again reminds one of Seattle in the ’80s. The up tempo “Total Amnesia” stands out with it’s driving double bass beat and Power Metal sound of slick harmony guitars. Closing the album is the epic “Love, ‘The Assassin” weighing in at over 7 minutes and having a lot of great things going on from time changes and strong harmony vocals to tightly written and executed guitars.

Final Notes

A lot of the material on the album sounds like other popular Heavy Metal bands from back in the day, making the true identity of Hittman a little hard to decipher here. The overall effect of listening to Destroy All Humans is like taking a time machine trip into 1986, because that’s when these songs feel like they were written. Is that a bad thing? Not if your time trip to the ’80s puts a smile on your face.

Lineup

Dirk Kennedy: Vocals, keyboards
Jim Bacchi: Guitars, keyboards, background vox
John Kristen: Guitars
Greg Bier: Bass Guitar
Jai ‘Es: Drums on “Destroy All Humans”, “Breathe” & “Total Amnesia”
Joe Fugazi: All other drums

Destroy All Humans – Tracklist

1. Destroy All Humans (7:32)
2. Breathe (4:20)
3. The Ledge (4:29)
4. Code of Honour (5:20)
5. Total Amnesia (4:18)
6. 1000 Souls (4:00)
7. Out in the Cold (4:29)
8. Love, ‘The Assassin’ (7:45)