Search - Jack Frost :: Out in the Cold

Solo album with a diverse lineup

Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 06/08/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If you're into heavy metal, you must have heard of Jack Frost; or at least some of the bands he's played in. From his own band Seven Witches to the terribly underrated Bronx Casket Company, he also played with Metalium, Speed, and Savatage, albeit in different capacities. Out in the Cold is his second solo album after 2003's Raise Your Fist to Metal.



The album sees a huge list of guest musicians supporting Jack Frost; in fact, there is a different lineup on pretty much every single song. From hard rock singers like Danger Danger's Ted Poley and XYZ's Terry Ilous on "Wasting Your Luv" and the title track respectively to the more thrashy, heavier pieces such as "Hell or High Water", featuring Watchtower's Alan Tecchio; and "Crucifaxation" with Anthrax' Neil Turbin, Frost certainly opts for a diverse album. Sadly though, the less than stellar production has totally rendered some of these songs unlistenable -- some of the vocal harmonies barely come through and the rhythm section seems way too buried for my tastes. Frost's playing does not differ that much from his past works, but he's certainly played more melodic solos in his previous bands, most notably Seven Witches. This disc features more of his crunchy rhythm work than his searing, in-your-face heavy guitar leads as well as some ballady material like "Passage to the Classical Side".



Of the eleven songs on this disc, three are covers: Foreigner's "Cold As Ice", sung by the great Jeff Martin, features killer keyboard work by Vox Tempus man Eric Ragno; whilst April Wine's "Sign of the Gypsy Queen" is treated to a cool melodic solo. On the 38 Special track "Hold On Loosely", Jack Frost does the lead vocals himself, but honestly, he is not that great a singer in my opinion. That said, the album features a great list of bass players with Symphony X's Mike LePond, Fates Warning's Joey Vera, and WASP's Mike Duda.



Only recommended to die-hard Frost fans. Otherwise, approach at your own risk because Jack Frost has released much better albums. Also, maybe he could a little break from releasing so many albums in so little time, and focus harder on stronger songwriting."