Legendary vocalist Dee Snider is no rookie to the metal scene, as he has been the frontman for iconic glam metal band Twisted Sister since the 1980’s. In 2018 he released his solo album For The Love Of Metal produced by Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta. Three years later he triumphantly returns with Leave A Scar! This full-length is again produced by Jamey Jasta and co-produced by Nick Bellmore. The backing band lineup includes Charlie Bellmore on guitar, Nick Bellmore on drums, Russell Pzuttoon bass, and Nick Petrino on Guitar.This album was written to express the heavy emotions that Dee felt during the Covid-19 lockdown and has emerged as extremely powerful, heavy, and catchy tunes.

“I Gotta Rock (Again)”: This is the perfect song to begin this album with! It starts with a heavy drum beat and a consistent guitar riff. Dee’s vocals come in hot and serve a great message that he is an untouchable force that will not be stopped. The guitar solo is very 80’s inspired and melodic as the two shred masters trade off. After the middle section the song picks right back up into pure metal utopia and Dee makes it known that he will keep on rocking for many years to come!

“All Or Nothing”: Opening with a heavy guitar riff that swells into a great full-force instrumental opening, this tune will have your head banging! The chorus is very catchy with a guitar line riding on top of Dee’s lyrics in the mix. This song features a cool bass section that leads into another heart pounding guitar solo.

“Down But Never Out”: This song begins with a great “chant along” opening with uplifting vocals about never quitting. It channels into a great guitar work and then a groovy bass section with the drums riding on the cymbal. This tune finishes out with Dee’s vocals and the instrumentals exponentially rising up. 

“Before I Go”: This tune accentuates very chilling lyrics about seeing the world differently through the eyes of angels. This is stacked on top of chunky guitar riffs and a driving drum beat (I really enjoy the sound of the crash cymbal in this song). Pounding it out until after the guitar solo this song is a driving force, then it fades into an acoustic section and slowly rides again until the end! 

“Open Season”: Launching in with a groovy drum fill and tasty guitar riff this tune is non stop. I really enjoy the chord progression throughout this song and it gives off the ‘old school’ metal feel that everyone will enjoy. 

“Silent Battle”: Beginning with a heavy guitar intro, this tune is one to get your head bnging to. Lyrically it features Dee’s words about fighting battles within oneself and a hope for a better tomorrow. Even though it touches on the deep topic of fighting one’s demons, this song is (surprisingly) very uplifting. 

“Crying For Your Life”: Opening with an airy haunting guitar tone this song quickly changes beats (no pun intended) into a much heavier tune. Dee’s miraculous vocal rage adds a great touch to this bass driven song. The middle solo section fades in with Dee’s screams riding over the mix and then transitions into riff greatness, eventually fading off with a lingering tone.

“In For The Kill”: This song is my personal favorite off of this album. It is very low end driven and begins with a drum beat and bass section, then quickly adds in a guitar solo floating overtop. Dee’s vocals are very on point and adds the perfect puchyness that makes this song a perfect force! The duel guitar solo adds in the classic touch that old school metalheads will adore. This song ends with a key change to make it even more powerful! 

“Time To Choose”: This is another bass heavy tune, opening up with a bass riff and then cascading into full blown metal madness from every aspect! This song features guest vocals from Cannibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher. This guitar work is very catchy within the solo and features the classic metal five note riff towards the outro. This song will certainly be one to get stuck in your head. 

“S.H.E”: Beginning with backing screams and Dee’s melodic vocals this song briskly transforms into a heavy but yet upbeat tune about finding your perfect soulmate. The main chorus is very catchy and melodic and will have your head banging throughout the tune. The guitar solo is very 80’s inspired and begins with two separate guitars that eventually rise to fuse together. The song ends with Dee’s forceful vocals and a bass drum. 

“The Reckoning”: This is probably the heaviest song on this album, opening with upbeat drums that continues throughout the song. It features a punchy bass drum leading up to the middle section. The heavy drums fade off until it’s riding on the high hat and drum fill during the solo. This is most definitely my favorite guitar solo on this album (and the longest one too). It features crunchy arpeggio style riffs with sweet vibrato. After the main solo section it features a “chant” and then dives back into a guitar solo to finish off the song!

“Stand”: This is a great mysterious tune that rides on the low end of the mix. Dee’s vocals flow perfectly over the instrumentals and provide a very uplifting message about leaving your mark on the world, which in my opinion is the perfect way to end this album!

In closing, Leave A Scar is a bit of a time capsule that both old time and new fans will absolutely adore! It blends the classic heavy metal sound and tasty 80’s guitar solos with new and improved production! Each of the twelve tracks on this album solidifies that Dee is (still) one of the most acclaimed and unstoppable vocalists in metal, and rightfully so! Pickup your copy of Leave A Scar out July 30, 2021!

I’m Music Magazine Contributing Writer Angelica Bohurjak