Atkins / May Project
Serpent’s Kiss
Review by Gary Hill
Al Atkins is probably best known as the original lead singer in Judas Priest. I’ve reviewed one of his solo albums and he’s quite good. This latest album is a collaboration between Atkins and Paul May. I’d have to say that it might be a mistake for Atkins.
Sure, it’s a great album. The music here really rocks. The trouble is, many already accuse Atkins of trying to cash in on his Judas Priest connection. With his solo career he steers in a different direction and that takes some of the wind out of the sails of that criticism. Here, though, it’s well deserved. So much of the music (and note, I’m saying the music, not the vocals) feels like an attempt to copy Judas Priest without copying specific tracks. There are couple places where it wanders from that, but some of the other spots the resemblance is almost embarrassing.
I’d love to hear what these guys could do if Paul May didn’t seem like he was trying to create some long lost Al Atkins lead Judas Priest album. I mean, I like this, but sometimes it just feels a little silly because the tribute band-like nature is so heavy. Atkins never tries to sound like Rob Halford, always doing his own thing. In fact, I’d say his performances here are superior to anything on the solo disc I reviewed. I just wish the music had been more original.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2012 Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.
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