Power Game

Poor ol' Marshall Law. These guys are truly the classic example of a band in the wrong place at the wrong time. A few years after their fun, memorable self-titled debut, the group went through a short hiatus and slight line-up change. In 1992 they put out "Power Game", their 2nd full-length. But in the rising (and unwarranted) success of guys like Nirvana or Pantera, "Power Game", despite the album's half attempt at being more "relevant", was sadly destined to die at the starting gate. But how is "Power Game" in of itself? Let's just say the guys were probably kicking more than a few different ideas around during the writing process.

The band this time around is, in all fairness, tighter and heavier, but ultimately the guys seem less energetic and more focused on something more...I dunno, serious? Andy Pyke almost totally changes up his vocal style; unlike his quasi Halford meets NWOBHM melodic howling of the debut, here he goes for some meaner and more attacking howling, though the melody in his voice is not totally lost. In addition, he tries some moments of honest to science singing (more on that later) and even some evil junkyard dog growls to start off "Dead Zone". The guitar duo of Dave Martin and Andy Southwell make for a fine team up still certainly, but their work overall is a bit more lackluster and less fiery than the debut. But again in all fairness they still spit out some nice riffs and solos if pressed hard enough. The drumming of new boy Lee Morris is pretty generic; thumping steady and workmanlike but nothing to write home about. Lastly, on the other hand, the bass on other new guy Roger Davis is a treat. His work is notably loud in the mix and shows of some fills, mini-solos and an attacking rhythm that would make Steve Harris do a double take. It's little wonder he was recruited for the next two albums after.

It seems to me the guys in Marshall Law, at the time, wanted to stay relevant yet not throw out their heavy metal elements entirely. It's clear in the production, which sounds meatier and meaner than the thinner reverb-filled work on the debut. Not to mention to more mid-paced aesthetics of the songs this time around and groovier guitar lines; the added heaviness and slower tempos were probably a decision to satiate fanboys of Pantera, Rage Against The Machine or Machine Head; yet also the songs manage to sound superficially like true metal at the end of the day, comparable the works of Metal Church, 80's Hexx or even the heavier moments of Iron Maiden, albeit less technical. But THEN, in some songs it sounds like they wanted to potentially appeal to partakers of hard rock and rock ballads! Take the true full-blooded ballad on here, "No Justice". It sounds like a fucking Michael Bolton song with a guitar tone. Well, maybe that's too harsh but, despite the lyrics, this sucker has "sappy early 90's love ballad" written all over it. Or how about the chorus of opener "Chain of Youth", slowing down a fairly fast and riffy song for that Poison by way of Skid Row chorus. Other hard rocky moments abound in forgettable but passable numbers like the melody-tinged title track or the slightly harder "Psychodrama", which also totes out the vague groove elements.

Well, is there anything on "Power Game" that sits better? Well like I said, aside from the chorus, "Chain of Youth" is pretty good. "Naked Aggression" is a pretty fearsome and memorable heavy-hitter with some searing vocals and one of the album's more memorable choruses, an aspect prevalent on the debut sorely missed on here. "Searching For Paradise" has balladic elements but is ultimately more pleasing in terms of heaviness and riffage than "No Justice" by a mile. Interestingly the record's best two songs were saved for last. First we have my favorite on here, the attacking "Dead Zone" with it's catchy blues scale NWOBHM riffage and some coolly harsh backing vocals. Second we have "Leviathan", which nicely mixes mood with a deadly half-thrash idea about it, making for of the album's heavier and more memorable cuts.

Overall, "Power Game" is certainly an interesting album. The fun atmosphere, memorable choruses and scorching solos of the debut are ultimately pushed aside in order to sort of keep up with the times, yet also staying true the ol' heavy metal roots. The bandmates' work is passable (though the bass is a solid highlight), but really missing the energy of the first album. There are a few cuts on here I like to revisit now and again (namely "Naked Aggression", "Leviathan" and "Dead Zone"), but the entriety of the album as a whole I can't totally recommend.

Three years passed from the time Marshall Law released their debut album until they finally released the follow up, Power Game. A lot changed in those four years, heavy metal started to fade from the mainstream and into the underground, bands adopted a more modern sound, some bands tried their hands at a heavier style as well. Marshall Law were one of those bands. Their first album, while a bit raw, was energetic, catchy, and fun. None of those words can be used to describe Power Game. While it's not a bad album, it's obvious they tried way too hard to be serious, instead of just having fun and playing. Which is what metal is all about in my opinion, but anyways, on to the album.

The first thing you notice is that the production is really beefed up, the overall sound is very dark. A couple albums come to mind when listening to this, Metal Church's The Dark and Skid Row's Slave to the Grind, song wise it also sounds like a mesh of those two albums. Now on their debut the bass was completely inaudible, and the drums sounded like trash cans. This time around the bass is very loud in the mix, the production as a whole is bass heavy. The drums also sound good. The guitars are pretty sharp, all though they are still a bit too quiet. But the big change is vocalist Andy Pyke. Now this guy can sing, there's no doubt about that, just listen to the song "Marshall Law" to confirm that. But on this album, too often does he try to be different. Sometimes he yells, sometimes he even growls a bit. Instead of just doing what he's really good at, and that's a traditional style of singing. They also put in a lot of gang vocals that almost always sound out of place.

Now I know it sounds like I hate this album, but it's really not all bad. Opener "Chain the Youth" is a catchy number, though it has kind of a crappy chorus, the verses are absolutely excellent. "Another Generation" is a great, menacing, mid paced headbanger. Andy Pyke puts his new vocal style too good use here, he sounds great. "Edge of the World" has a nice atmosphere, great verses, but yet again the chorus just sounds awkward. "Dead Zone" is nice fucking slab of speed metal, probably the best song on here. A menacing heavy ass verse, with(finally) a catchy chorus, good shredding solo. Short and to the point. The albums closer "Leviathan" gives Dead Zone a run for its money. Another monstrously heavy song, very Metal Church like. Another catchy chorus, with the new menacing style of vocals working well here. "Rise! Leviathan!" Good stuff.

Most of the other songs are bland and uninspired. Songs like "Psychodrama" and "Naked Aggression" just don't really have anything to hook on to, they aren't really bad, just boring. Then there's the crappy ballad "No Justice", and I have no idea why they thought they had to put this on here. It reminds me of Scorpion's "Still Loving You" except it sucks.

I have to say, I was very disappointed after hearing their excellent debut album I had high hopes for this. But it was quite the let down. Hell, even the album cover is absolutely horrible. To be fair though it's not all bad, I'm sure some people would enjoy it. If you're a big fan of the previously mentioned Slave to the Grind you might wanna check this one out. But it still feels like a waste of talent, these guys are good, and I haven't given up on them yet. Hopefully the next album I get of theirs will get back to the ass kicking.