NO PRAYER FOR THE DYING

It had to happen sometime, wherein the band overdoses on its seemingly tireless aspiration to push the envelope of progressiveness. The eventual burnout resulted in this, a "back to the basics" affair which attempts (somewhat forcibly) to capture the style of the band's first two albums. As a result, it sounds like the band is trying too hard to achieve grittiness, rather than letting it come naturally. Harshness aside, this album is somewhat of a guilty pleasure for fans of the genre, particularly because of how forgotten a lot of these songs are. "Bring Your Daughter (To the Slaughter)" makes its appearances on current live albums and compilations, but the other single, the wacky "Holy Smoke," seems to have disappeared from the band's collective memory. Other catchy compositions include the effective title track, the "Aces High" retreat "Tailgunner," and the off-puttingly titled "Public Enema Number One." Unfortunately, all of the progressive elements have been stripped bare from the music (although I suppose one could make a case for "Mother Russia"), meaning that this album is of no interest to anyone aside from metalheads, although it's hard to hate an album where good old Charlotte makes another appearance ("Hooks in You").