Ever wonder what it would sound like if members of
Queensrÿche and
Brother Cane got in a room together and let it rip? Well, that's how listeners got
Slave to the System. Comprised of longtime
Queensrÿche drummer Scott Rockenfield, ex-
Queensrÿche guitarist Kelly Gray, and
Brother Cane singer/guitarist
Damon Johnson and bassist Roman Glick, the only wild card here is mystery guitarist/singer Scott Heard. And in a battle between both bands,
Brother Cane wins here, as there's very little of
Queensrÿche's prog metal to be heard. Instead, there are heaps of radio-friendly rock with a classic rock edge -- think of a more straight-ahead
Stone Temple Pilots (with shredding guitar solos) and you're not far off. And unlike Rockenfield's full-time band, which is known to take extended periods of time in the recording studio, the 2006 self-titled debut from
Slave to the System was written and recorded in a mere three weeks. Included is the title track that features
Johnson warning of "vicious barracudas" and a chorus that is slightly reminiscent of
Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star," as well as "Love This Life," which momentarily cools the rock fury. While it's certainly a detour from the "thinking man" sounds of
Queensrÿche, there's not much here that you haven't heard before on mainstream rock radio. ~ Greg Prato