ROSS THE BOSS
ROSS THE BOSS – “Legacy of Blood, Fire & Steel”
By Colonel Angus
I have been a fan of Ross “The Boss” Friedman since back when he was providing the power metal riffing (and soloing) for MANOWAR. While not a punk fan per se, I did enjoy THE DICTATORS but MANOWAR was where Friedman really caught my attention. Since then, I have followed his career on and off even catching THE BRAIN SURGEONS on tour (I’m a huge B.O.C. fan as well) but of all the projects he has been associated with, his namesake band has really caught my eye. I feel that ROSS THE BOSS (band) follows in that template that he helped create back in the early 80s with the catchy riffing, soaring vocals, and fist pumping choruses. We can debate forever on who the first power metal was but make no mistake, Ross Friedman was there at the beginning and he is continuing to fly that flag to this day
Hot on the heels of the current trend of buying actual records, AFM Records is putting out this “greatest hits” vinyl (and only vinyl) release. I caution to call it a “greatest hits” because, let’s be honest, there are no radio hits on “Legacy of Blood, Fire & Steel” but what you do get is the cream of the crop off the four albums. There are a dozen songs on this record with three songs from each disk. Even though the band has only been around for roughly fifteen years, there are almost two distinct eras with each one represented by a different vocalist. Side A has original vocalist Patrick Fuchs fronting all six tracks while side B features current singer Marc Lopes (who is also fronting the latest incarnation of METAL CHURCH).
The thought of picking songs for a retrospective such as this has to be slightly daunting as I feel all the tunes across all four albums are worthy of inclusion, I have to admit that AFM Records has done an admirable job of picking the songs that do stand out. Of the earlier material, I can’t help but be reminded of SAXON as Fuchs’ vocals remind me of Biff Byford. Just grab a listen to “I Got the Right” and “We Will Kill” and tell me that you don’t hear the same that my metal weary ears hear with each additional spin. Friedman has a knack for coming up with memorable riffs that stick with you for days and each solo fits the songs perfectly. He doesn’t overplay and constructs his solos as little mini-songs within the main tune. Elsewhere on the first side, you also get the galloping power metal of “Kingdom Arise” and frantic title track from “Hailstorm”. Finishing off the first era is the instrumental “Great Gods Glorious” where Friedman really shows off his playing chops.
Side B does have a definite sound and style difference which I think has to do with production as much as having a new singer. The more recent material still has that same power metal riffing with additional heaviness added courtesy of Lopes’ vocals. While I find the production a bit muddy, the material cuts through and moves the band’s sound forward slightly. I say “slightly” because it may have today’s production values but it is still rooted in the early 80s power metal ethos. “We Are the Night” has a menacing quality while “Maiden of Shadows” has a fist-pumping sing along chorus that works today just as well as it did back in the day. The final two songs on this record “Born of Fire” and “Denied By the Cross” are the most modern sounding with the former having an OVERKILL vibe and the latter bordering on thrash. All in all, this is a great introduction to ROSS THE BOSS and I think it is cool that it is only being released on vinyl. The ceremony of putting on a record and listening (really listening) to the music while looking at the cover is something that is missing in our busy world. My suggestion is get “Legacy of Blood, Fire & Steel”, crank up the speakers, put the needle on the record, and strap in for some classic power metal.