Play With Fire
From the sleepy burg of Indianapolis (i'm assuming it is, Dave Letterman always bags it out on his show) comes an thrilling debut demo album (full-length demo, whatever floats your boat) written, performed and produced by one immensely talented individual, Mr. Dave Cardwell. Mr. Cardwell's success is and will be attributed to his ear for rousing melody and penmanship for thumping rhythms that metalheads crave.
The opener Fight Ourselves is a knockabout thrasher, taking cues from the raucous Metallica of old, fusing together Accept style speed and melody with a strong sing-a-long gang chorus. Excellent. The muscular Play With Fire, laden with some interesting imagery is straightfoward balls to the wall Euro-styled power metal with a strong bass line that Mr. Dave Ellefson would nod his head to. The instrumental section is chock-full of wizardry and as for the chorus - one of the best I've heard in such a long time! The forcefully belted "You want to play with me...Play with fire!" is so simple yet so addictive, nine times out of ten it prevents the next track from being played...at all. Brilliant. Not to say that isn't bad either, Born a Liar is drenched in the spirit of early Megadeth (He does share a first name with Mr. Mustaine after all!) and a hint of the flashier side of British New Wave, captivating from start to finish. Phenomenal. He references old school Kreator and Iron Maiden in Life Run Cold, still maintaining that fervor for vivid songwriting.
Apart from Mr. Cardwell's obvious talents in songwriting and musicianship his vocals are also of great note, since he can jump into a bear suit and growl like a grizzly then into smooth and unhindered clean vocals with a quite impressive range all showcased on Dream. Mr. Cardwell hits the high registers with ease while thrashing out some Helloweenish rhythms and solos. The rest of the album is unfettered in it's creativity and passion for making the old new again, like the L.A. hard rock style Gods, cheeky yet melancholy at the same time - impossible to conceptualize but pulled off with finesse by Mr. Cardwell. Fortunately, the rest of the album remains on a similar inimitable course of excellence with some aggressive Pantera shining through in Darkness and what would have been the song if Dave Mustaine stayed with Metallica in Deathwish; and it's all rollicking and fun to boot!
This is a one-man powerhouse that isn't signed to a major label, and as such has worked within the limitations of self-reliance and has done exceptionally well. The production is of a demo quality but it doesn't interfere too much with the sonic gems found on this disc, allowing the songwriting to speak for itself. What's also so unbelievable is that he composed and played the bass, rhythm/harmony guitars and programmed the drums as well as effects and keyboards without denigrating into self-indulgence, yielding to ouevres of filler to pad up the disc or the all important "staying true" to genre repetitions. He transcends the traditional scope of traditional metal proving it's still a style that with the right fixtures of creativity to it's creaky frame can shine like new again in the 21st century. If you like the old school styles, then Raise the Shield is for you. (Even if it isn't, you should still give it a few spins!) Mr. Cardwell has produced an consistently outstanding album on debut. Hopefully, I suspect with a proper touring band and slicker production they'll light up smiles on major labels' faces. Well done!
Rating: 8.9 / 10
Standout tracks: All!
11/26/2006 Eyeless Sentry
Raise The Shield exist from one person who takes all instruments at its own expense, thus we had to deal here with a one-man Metal band originating in Indianapolis, Indiana. I always had an enormous appreciation for people who try or dare a venture like this. Not to underestimate duty that asks a lot of inspiration and courage to complete everything to a successfully result. Name of the person who has personally set Raise The Shield op calls Dave Cardwell.
He started early 2006 and the album I have concerning here is already its second effort. Raise The Shield released a debut EP entitled "Shocked Awake" in September. Only two months later, a second one "Play With Fire" saw daylight in all its glory. Dave has been charged with interesting ideas and musical skills to the extreme. His voice sounds as a junction between James Hetfield and Dave Mustaine, yes he does! Advancement of the guitar lines are outstanding. Both lead and solo works be of a very good quality and sound definitely worthy and professionally aimed.
What left are something to tell regarding drum and synth programming which bothers me from time to time. Especially a programmed drum computer is a true torture for my own personal ears. I know, you cannot complete a decent Metal album without drum poundings which leads to circumstances you have to work with a programmed drum cancel the entire operation. But believe me, that is the only argument I have some negatively thoughts of. About the rest of Raise The Shield, no reason to complain.
Style can be discribed as a blend of Power and Thrash Metal. To manage an album like "Play With Fire" you need especially much insight and you must have a high quality musical skill in your veins. Well, Dave Cardwell has it all and that is certainly and permanently not exaggerate. 8 precious songs of steel standing strongfully on this CD with each their own character better to define as Melodic Power Metal with a serious dose of quality Thrash Metal, old school reminiscent.
Some are afraid about the result of a one-man Metal band...in this case, gat rid of that thought and give Raise The Shield a try. If you admire Thrash / Power Metal, you immediately will understand what I mean. Certainly worth to check it out at: www.myspace.com/raisetheshield MY POINTS: 85 / 100
Stefan - METAL TO INFINITY
After releasing a strong debut EP Shocked Awake earlier this year to solid reviews, Raise the Shield is back with their first full length offering Play with Fire. This Indianapolis, In. based band is a dead ringer for the aggressive early '80s Bay Area metal sound of Metallica and then later Megadeth and Testament. Their sound is prolific and powerful, doing everything bigger and wilder for the hell of it. But with the huge sound there is still clean inspired technical guitar precise drums and killer melodies.
The singer sounds almost exactly like James Hetfield on several tracks on this disc. That is both a good and a bad thing. It is positive in that Hetfield used to be one of the best voices in metal, but negative in the commercial sellout gayness that his band has become. Let's only hope that Raise the Shield has a chance someday to choose between good and evil, honor or selling out. As for the music, it is hard charging guitar rhythms and really nice leads and solos dispersed throughout the record.
The songwriting and vocal execution though are a little redundant and slightly unpolished at times. But for a new band, what can you expect; certainly not perfection. And when the vocals and songs are running a little slow and cold the guitar work comes in to save the day. Isn't that the formula many of the bands of the '80s used to well? No one remembers rhythm guitarist, drummers or bass player's names the way they remember the lead axe men 20 to 30 years later. Skolnick, Freidman, Becker, Vai, Hammett, DeGarmo, King, Tipton, Campbell, Rhoads, the list could go on forever.
In that light if you are going to form a speed/thrash metal outfit you better have a guy that can really bring the mail. Raise the Shield seems to have that category covered with Dave Cardwell. But the interesting thing here is that every single instrument was performed by Cardwell also! Yes you read that correctly, in fact the MySpace site had the message that the band was looking for members to play the other instruments. So in the context of learning that one man created this album, it certainly makes it even more intriguing. Pick up a copy of this cool ass thrash metal disc and see for yourself.
Matthew Hoffman
HRH Rating: 8.1/10
RAISE THE SHIELD is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. It all started just a year ago, but already released an EP ('Shocked Awake'). The now being reviewed 'Play With Fire' afflects improvement and matureness. It is also interesting that this band is a solo project from a mister D. Cardwell. Furthermore there isn't that much to add when roaming the internet so let it begin.
The first track shows similarity to the vocals of mr. James Hetfield, when he was still okay. This 'Fight Ourselves' has a groovy refrain and is very easy to the ear. Title track 'Play With Fire' has also such a catchy vibe, it could be a rising star in the heavy metal charts. Easily listening yes, but certainly not an insult as this statement commonly suggests. Same goes for 'Born A Liar'. The more than descent solo even tops the majority in this genre. More thrashy again is the next track. Again the Metallica voice sets in developing the aggression of the music. Remaining songs are more of the same in a positive way. All chorusses are of catchy caliber and could be very well in today's mainstream here and there. This has mostly to do with the vocals, which are of old school metal quality - apart from those high pitches - and are a worthy asset to the whole. 'Deathwhish' is last up and reminds the listener to some severe Megadeth even. Hell yeah!
'Play With Fire' took moi by surprise. RAISE THE SHIELD has something old and canning to its sound, which distinquish itself in todays genres. Therefore the band - or person in this case - has gained respect for accomplishing this and apart from that, the great recording involved. RAISE THE SHIELD will unfold this album the 20th of this very month so be prepared.
Manuel Boss 11/14/07
There's a lot of aggression and quirky, off-center energy in Dave’s playing; his style brings Jeff Waters or Dave Mustaine to mind. He is the leader of the group Raise The Shield, and he is also the composer of all the tunes on the band's debut disc, Play With Fire.
It's great to hear a debut that comes out of the gates blazing like this, full of confidence, with a distinctive modern sound anchored deep in the metal tradition. The group dynamic is loose and spontaneous, and Dave solos with a solid, percussive left hand nailing down his free-flying right-hand explorations.
Instrumental Observer - Apr. 25th, 2007
Metallica, Annihilator, Megadeth – drei illustre Bands, die bei “Play With Fire” Pate standen. Und das verdammt nah! Das gilt auch beim Gesang: olle Hetfield klingt durch und – wie geil! – „er“ singt zur Saitenhexerei von Jeff Waters. Das hat echt Stil. Die Gesangslinien sind melodiös, animieren zum mitträllern und machen einfach mal Laune. Devin Townsend lässt grüßen. Beim Titelstück hat sich obendrein noch ein Priest – Riff „versteckt“.
Da hat sich der RAISE THE SHIELD - Mastermind Dave Cardwell einen fetten Brocken aus den metallischen Rippen geleiert, der es in sich hat. Da kann man nur hoffen, dass der Mann bald ein paar passende Mitstreiter findet, denn erdacht und aufgenommen hat Dave alles selbst. (Die Drums kommen aus der Konserve und sind ein kleiner Schwachpunkt.) Dass es ihm Spaß gemacht hat, ist deutlich zu hören. Da ist ein Enthusiast am Werk. Alles klingt schlüssig und scheint leicht von der Hand zu gehen. Die Songs kommen auf den Punkt und ein angenehmes 80-er Gefühl stellt sich ein. Dabei klingt die Mucke nicht altbacken! Frisch und „wie selbst gemacht“, sozusagen. Well done, Dave! Bin gespannt auf mehr.
Torsten - Laermbelaestigung
Direkt aus Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, kam dieses Demo in mein Postfach gesegelt.
Der Waschzettel stapelt direkt hoch. Man vergleicht sich mit MEGADETH, METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN und TESTAMENT. Aber auch NEVERMORE, MASTODON und ALICE IN CHAINS sollen im Sound mit auftauchen. Kann das gutgehen? Muss man an dieser Stelle nicht beantworten, da hier etwas dick aufgetragen worden ist.
Zulassen kann man Referenzen an MEGADETH, etwa zur "The World Needs A Hero"-Phase, und METALLICA, für den Gesang. Das dargebotene Songmaterial weist trotzdem schon Eigenständigkeit auf und lässt aufhorchen. Kompositorisch ist alles im grünen Bereich, die Gitarren gliedeln und fiedeln ordentlich ('Pirate Song', yeah!).
An Schwachpunkten lassen sich allein die etwas dünne Produktion, vor allem die Drums mussten darunter leiden, und der unausgewogene, dünne Gesang ausmachen. Da es sich aber um ein Demo handelt ist es noch zu verschmerzen. Vor allem, da RAISE THE SHIELD mit 'Shocked Awake' einen Hammersong auf die CD gepackt haben!
Fazit: Als erste Duftmarke ordentlich. Das Demo kommt auf CD-R mit nettem Cover und ist seinen Preis wert. Wenn noch mehr Songs wie der Titelsong kommen könnte diese Band demnächst durchstarten.
Anspieltipps: 'Pirate Song', 'Shocked Awake'
TexJoachim - Bleeding for metal
