Label: Metal Heaven
Released: October 26, 2007
Time changes some things, but not all. This is certainly true of Steve Grimmett. The music hasn’t taken any great strides, but time has tempered his once distinctive voice. Other than an occasional hint of modern metal (and I do mean hint), Personal Crisis doesn’t explore any new territory. It is a fine mix of melody, tight riffs and solid 80s heaviness that crossed the Atlantic as the NWOBHM. Grimmett’s voice, which certainly had its grating moments back in the Grim Reaper days, is toned down. While it isn’t quite as distinctive, it is a lot more consistent, making the album more palatable than his past work. The band is capable of reaching technical heights, but never sacrifices the whole sound for the sake of the individual spotlight. While there may not be a truly new moment on the album, there’s also not a dull one either as Grimmett and company rip through almost 50 solid metal minutes. For those who relish in the heavier side of 80s metal, this should be a treat, but don’t expect to hear the future, because you won’t find it here.
At this point, Personal Crisis is not available in the US, so you’ll have to pick up the import.
Rating: 6/10