Monte Pittman
Inverted Grasp Of Balance
(Metal Blade Records)
The still-touring guitarist for Madonna and former axeman for both Prong and Ministry is back with his fifth release in Inverted Grasp Of Balance. Compared to The Power Of Three, it’s a much meatier recording this time, with more of an emphasis on heavy metal, thrash and hard rock instead of the slightly poppier elements that we had on the former. That isn’t to say that the music isn’t poppy sometimes in lieu of catchiness, but this is the kind of album that will surely attract fans of acts like modern Metallica, Alterbridge, Disturbed, modern Ozzy, mid-era Anthrax, Godsmack and more which is certainly not a bad thing. Aside from some double bass blasts in “Guilty Pleasure” that I certainly was not expecting, there’s nothing too extreme here, so don’t expect death metal or anything similar. That being said, Inverted Grasp of Balance is a rock record that has enough metallic might fused within it’s veins to keep me pleasantly interested, and that’s strictly due to Pittman’s extraordinary skill as a guitarist. Yet that’s not all, as Pittman also performs the bass lines as well as the vocals on this one. I had already known from the start that Pittman had one hell of a voice, and this record only cements it.
There are very few rock records that I enjoy these days because several of them are so formulaic and what I’d consider almost a bit immature, but when I hear something like this, I hear a lot of what got me into hard rock music coupled with enough of a heavy metal edge to appeal equally to both worlds. I’ve loved nineties hard rock as much as I have the heavier stuff, and that’s what a record of this nature reminds me of. If you like obsessively catchy records that you’ll end up singing along with from the beginning to the end, then this is a disc that you need to pick up right away. As far as the lyrics are concerned, they aren’t about weak-minded things either, and are a little bit more mature in some instances, so I feel that I can relate a little more. Admittedly, there are some ungodly catchy numbers to be found here like “The Times Are Changing,” “California,” “Be Very Afraid” (which is a real thrasher) and virtually every other cut, showing Pittman’s uncanny ability to do what even a lot of the more traditional heavy metal and rock acts can’t achieve – make a hit with nearly every song. Inverted Grasp Of Balance is literally hit after hit after hit, and it comes delivered right to your face, complete with several thousand pounds of memorable guitar solos. It’s safe to say that Pittman does shred on this album and these aren’t the kind of slightly decent “a couple seconds and it’s over” solos that you might hear on rock records where the solos were only addedin as a trend, rather these are full-length solo efforts that really spark – and if you don’t believe me, check out the fantastical fretwork in instrumental cut, “Obliteration” which certainly will leave you “obliterated” after it’s all said and done. Monte Pittman proves that he is absolutely not messing around when it comes to a performance like this and I’m unexpectedly speechless. While there were some very strong cuts on the previous disc, I can’t find a problem with any of the numbers here and it may very well be the best disc he’s ever recorded.
There is a slight ballad at the end of the disc, but just like the others, it is a notable moment on the album and feels like it belongs. Once again, this isn’t a punishingly heavy metal album, but nor is it meant to be. There’s not a person I’ve met that listens to constant brutality 24/7 and this is the kind of thing that I feel listeners looking for what I’d consider a “just plain great rock album for 2016” would enjoy. I’m guilty of listening to this thing five times already and would gladly listen to it more. If you like catchy rock with an injection of metal in all of the right places, then I can’t think of anywhere better to look. I haven’t heard the new Alterbridge yet and I’d consider that one major competition for Pittman this year, but those guys would really have to knock it out of the park to compete with a disc like this one. As of right now, Monte Pittman’s Inverted Grasp Of Balance is my number one rock album of the year. Give this man an award or something for this one, because he damn well deserves it.
Purchase Inverted Grasp Of Balance here.
