MICHAEL WILTON – Vol. I (Album Review)

The whip strikes outside the queen’s realm

Seattle’s premier progressive heavy metal forefathers Queensrÿche have been on a colossal upsurge since the shakeup of their lineup and subsequent release of their 2013 eponymous studio album, rekindling the old flame that originally put them on the map in the 80s. Yet one would be remiss to deny some of the strengths that came into the band following their foray into more conventional rock territory in the late 1990s, though much of it was hampered by a lack of consistency and a clear sense of direction.

Coming off the heels of yet another crackerjack outing in 2022’s “Digital Noise Alliance,” lead guitarist and co-founder Michael Wilton has opted to go it with a different fold of musicians for a newly birthed solo venture bearing his name, and their newly hatched debut LP simply dubbed “Volume I” brings a sound that arguably revisits the controversial middle era of his flagship band, redressing many of its flaws and realizing much of its missed potential.

Though cut for more of a modern rocking grain, the nine anthems that round out this opus come chock full of enough heaviness and vigor to rival the metallic attack inherent to Queensrÿche’s style. Wilton’s signature and highly idiomatic lead guitar work remains unmistakable, arguably shining a bit more brightly during each song’s solo slots as the groove-driven and simplistic character of the surrounding music leaves it more exposed, while his rhythm work hits like a mighty anvil and the occasional subdued interlude segment finds him recalling some of the haunting elements of his primary fold.

The bass and drum work of Hodgy and Sonny Sundra plays it mostly by the numbers, but occasionally the former breaks out of the pocket for a few auspicious moments and the latter’s steady drive keeps the whole arrangement in working order. The vocal work of Mark Winterman also opts for a methodical approach, adapting with greater degrees of grit and smoothness relative to where the music goes, and packing plenty of power during those pivotal chorus hooks while occasionally resembling the grungy aesthetic of Layne Staley minus the overt yarl.

The various moods that are articulated by each chapter of this hard-rocking novella express a fairly wide array of expressions, ranging from outright raging to solemn and melancholy. The opening pummel of “People Suffer” lands like a 2-ton anvil yet comes with some rather consonant melodic detailing between the guitars and Winterman’s mid-ranged howl, occasionally shifting to a faster metallic feel reminiscent of Queensrÿche’s current sound on more straightforward entries.

“Reason To Fight” and “Turn The Page” also strike with a metal-like sense of fervor and trade heavy-hitting grooves for singing lead guitar passages, hearkening again back to Wilton’s work with his primary band, but in a much less quirky and elaborate fashion. More measured anthems like “Glitch In Time” and “Toxic Girl” mix forceful, riff-happy choruses with some subdued and atmospheric verse segments that heighten the dynamic contrast factor and showcase Mark’s ability to really explore his range of vocal expressions.

But as far as a song that brings home the heavier and lighter elements of this opus in a singular package that is as catchy as it is compelling, the closing number “Drowning At Daybreak” steals the show on all fronts.

Though this is stylistically a bit closer to something that one might have heard out of Soundgarden if Chris Cornell were still with us or even a slightly more upbeat and less dissonant response to what Alice In Chains has been up to of late, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to see the lion’s share of Queensrÿche’s fan base taking to what Michael Wilton has unleashed here. “Volume I” is the sort of album that sees a seasoned veteran of the days of 80s excess settle comfortably into the laidback world of present-day hard rock and still finds him unleashing his oldest tricks to seal the deal.

It’s a tad less wild and technically extravagant than some of the recent material that George Lynch has been putting out via several different projects but has that same sort of older guy playing like he’s still young vibe. It’s proof positive that a straight-up hard rock approach doesn’t have to be contrived by the numbers, and anyone looking for an album that effectively matches heaviness with nuance will find a winner here.

Released By: Rat Pak Records
Release Date: December 7th, 2024
Genre: Hard Rock / Alt Rock

Musicians:

• Mark Winterman / Vocals
• Michael Wilton / Guitars
• Hodgy / Bass
• Sonny Sudra / Drums

“Vol. I” Track-Listing:

1.  People Suffer
2. Get Away
3. Glitch In Time
4. Toxic Girl
5. Reason To Fight
6. On Your Way
7. Turn The Page
8. Wasted Time
9. Drowning At Daybreak

Order “Vol. I” HERE