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5 stars = MASTERPIECE

Raging Slab was described as a combination of Metallica meets Lynryd Skynyrd, which is a fairly apt description (though one could say Blackfoot), but one key ingredient was left out, Pat Travers, heavy Pat Travers circa "Putting it Straight" & "Heat in the Street," & maybe more influential than Metallica. Raging Slab was a formidable musical entity, & their name fit perfectly. Singer Gregory Strzempka, belting out vocals like Ronnie Van Zant, with all the emotive capabilities of the former. Strzempka wrote lyrics like Ronnie to, of human pain & happiness. No, Raging Slab was not just a dumb redneck southern heavy metal outfit; there was a lot of brain power going on in this band, along with a wall of guitars. Raging Slab featured three guitarist, & they knew how to play, & play well they did!

Raging Slab has put out five or six albums to my knowledge, but there are two that stand head & shoulders above the rest; Raging Slab "ST" & the monumental "Dynamite Monster Boogie Concert," which sounds like a title for a live album, but is a studio release. Both these albums are masterful works of heavy, heavy, southern rock, & only Blackfoot before them ventured into this heavy of territory. Raging Slab "ST" was just a blaze of guitars & heavy rhythms, pulling the listener into to their swirling vortex for a sonic train ride that was over way to short & leaves one begging for more.

As good as "ST" was, & it was GOOD, Raging Slab's crowning achievement had to be "Dynamite Monster Boogie Concert." Here everything that came in play with the "ST" was personified & diversified to one of the best albums of rock history, & it didn't sell squat! Strzempka was at the height of his writing abilities, sounding like the second coming of Ronnie Van Zant. This man should have replaced Ronnie instead of Ronnie's brother Johnny, seriously, Strzempka was that good on this album, & I could just imagine what he & Ricky Medlocke (Blackfoot) now of Lynyrd Skynyrd could do together! Oh the possibilities! But back to the album. "Dynamite Monster Boogie Concert" was a true masterpiece of guts, glory, & beautiful melodies that struck deep down in my musical soul, of the like Raging Slab have never repeated. Each song a triumph of musical integrities to Strzempka's profound musical vision, a perfect album if there is such a thing. After fifteen years this CD still gets heavy play on my stereo, & friends of mine. It is an immortal achivement of the highest order & not to be missed by anyone who loves heavy metal & southern rock!

Song list:

1. Anywhere But Here (3:57)
2. Weatherman (3:12)
3. Pearly (3:36)
4. So Help Me (4:12)
5. What Have You Done (4:04)
6. Take Hold (5:02)
7. Laughn' & Cryin' (3:19)
8. Don't Worry About the Bomb (2:33)
9. Lynne (4:32)
10. Lord Have Mercy (3:51)
11. National Dust (3:34)
12. Ain't Ugly None (5:02)