DC4 – Explode (Release Year – 2007)
It has been a long time since I have heard any new music featuring Rowan Robertson on guitar. If that name seems familiar, it should. Rowan was the 17 year old wunderkind that Ronnie James Dio brought in to play on his album, Lock Up The Wolves. I enjoyed that disc, so when I found out that the brothers Duncan (Jeff, Shawn and Matt) tabbed Rowan to join them in DC4, I had to give their sophomore effort, Explode a spin.
Jeff Duncan who handles the lead vocals in DC4, also doubles as a guitarist in the metal band Armored Saint. I can definitely hear John Bush’s influence on Jeff Duncan’s Style. Duncan doesn’t quite have the range of Bush, but he is a very solid vocalist. DC4 isn’t quite as heavy as Armored Saint, but they are decent enough!
Explode is a solid slab of 80′s style metal, but it is not without its problems. The music on Explode is a little repetitious at times, and was mixed with the bass being a little too heavy, and the guitars a little too downplayed. When the guitars of Jeff Duncan and Rowan Robertson are allowed to shine, they usually do. I was hoping to hear more songs with some good guitar solos built in, and there are not enough of them on this record.
My favorite cuts on this disc are the title track, Explode, God Complex and Long Hard Road to Lost. After several listens, the song Candy Cane really got in my head, and Experiment started growing on me quite a bit.
You won’t find anything new musically with Explode, but if you are looking for a new disc to rock out with, this should get it done for you.
Check out DC4 on their myspace page here.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Explode
- Rock and Roll Disease
- Experiment
- God Complex
- Cabin Fever
- This Is What You Wanted
- Candy Cane
- Long Hard Road To Lost
- Disturbed
- Hate Parade
DC4 is:
Jeff Duncan – Lead Vocals, Guitars
Rowan Robertson – Guitar
Shawn Duncan – Drums
Matt Duncan – Bass and Backing Vocals
I just posted my review at HMA
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/dc4-explode-2007/
I liked the album but it got repetitive after a few songs. Guitars are great, music is top notch but the band doesn’t stray far from heavy Hard Rock. It would have been nice if they tried a few different things.
Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/
We really enjoy their myspace music….
Another great find HRH, thanks!