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Cut From A Different Cloth | Nice Being Alone | Cassius King # # # CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH REVIEWS Dan Lorenzo - Cut From a Different Cloth Country: USA Genre: Heavy Metal/NWOBHM Personally, I've enjoyed the first two albums as a whole more, but there are some highlights on Cut from a Different Cloth as well. Among my favorites are the surprising hip hop beats of "Clintonesque," the heavy and sludgy "You're Out," and the old Soundgarden vibe of "Back from Nice." There's another Kiss cover ("Two Timer") and a song that sounds like Kiss ("1974"), which could have been on Kiss' self titled debut from, well, 1974. The seventies are Lorenzo's biggest influence on Cut from a Different Cloth. "You Wanted the Best" is like a seventies tribute. Dan's always had a great sense of humor and you can't help but laugh at the phone joke of "Florentine/ Jamieson Prank." If Dan keeps up this pace, his fourth album should be out before I get this review uploaded. Album Score: 8 out of 10 Back to Cut From A Different Cloth reviews. # # # Dan Lorenzo & Cassius King Dan Lorenzo is best known for his work as one of the guitarists for under appreciated metal gods, Hades. Lately he’s been churning out solo records left and right and “Cut From a Different Cloth” is his latest. If you are expecting anything anywhere near the Hades sound and will accept nothing less, then please stop reading now. If you are looking for some great hard rock that sounds like the band is actually having a good time, read on brothers and sisters. Back to Cut From A Different Cloth reviews. # # #
Dan Lorenzo & Cassius King, "Cut From a Different Cloth," (ETR) *** Back to Cut From A Different Cloth reviews. # # #
WOW! This has to be Dan's darkest and heaviest project yet! Opening with a "Jerky Boys" type crank call asking for his own release, Dan sets the stage for some metallic fun and bits sarcasm here and there. Guitars and vocals are chunky and thick, reminiscent of KISS circa "Hotter Than Hell", but evident is also some influence from Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society. Bass ranges from straight ahead metal to bluesy beats. There is a blanketing dirty, gritty feel that actually feeds into darker tones, creating grooves that infect your mind. I found myself humming certain hooks even after the cd stopped. Some very quick and technical riffing in the tune "PHD. In Cleveland" shows off Dan's fingering as well as his ability to compose. Dan's humor comes across in the tune "Betty Last Night", which is catchy, singable and fun. "Ill Go North" is a stab at 'wannabes' everywhere! Musically, I’ve never been disappointed by anything Dan puts out. He isn’t ashamed to be different and cutting edge, and actually revels in it. I say more artists need to have the balls to be themselves in this manner. * Kiss fans MUST check out the version of "Two Timer"... Simmons better watch his ass cause Dan's about to bite it off with this cut! Don’t be bashful! get your copy today @ www.danlorenzo.net!! Back to Cut From A Different Cloth reviews. # # # Dan Lorenzo & Cassius King Back to Cut From A Different Cloth reviews. # # # DAN LORENZO & CASSIUS KING - CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH Back to Cut From A Different Cloth reviews. # # #
Dan Lorenzo & Cassius King - Cut From A Different Cloth, www.danlorenzo.net You know Dan Lorenzo from his time in Hades, Non-Fiction and now Cut From A Different Cloth, the third installment from his solo venture. His solo stuff is a far cry from Hades, as this of the more doom-y, sludgy variety. This is Lorenzo's third album in less than two years. Why so much so fast? It's simple - part of Lorenzo's mission is to show that music is not rocket science and that too many people take it way too seriously. If you just play from the heart, it'll have more staying power than if you were to overthink it. Just lighten up and don't sweat the small shit. Also has a cover of Kiss' "Two Timer." Sorta makes sense that Lorenzo would cover Kiss (Keep It Simple, Stupid. Get it?) It's available for $7 at www.danlorenzo.com. KKKK. (Dale Lammers) Back to Cut From A Different Cloth reviews.
DAN LORENZO AND CASSIUS KING - CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH (C) Self-Released, 2005 New Jersey thrash metal heroes Hades went on an indefinite hiatus following 2001's DAMNATION album, but their guitarist Dan Lorenzo has been a busy beaver of late, recording and self-releasing three solo albums in just over a year's time (!!) while juggling a job as a salesman and columnist for the Jersey entertainment magazine "Steppin' Out." (Talk about multi-tasking! Meanwhile, I can barely watch TV and talk on the phone at the same time... sigh...!) CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH is the first of the three I've heard (the other two, just for the record, are CASSIUS KING and NICE BEING ALONE), and I was warned beforehand not to expect much in the way of Hades-style metal excursions when I popped it into the player. As you might expect of an established musician working outside of his band situation, Dan uses his solo vehicle to spread his creative wings a little and get a few things off his chest in the bargain. CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH definitely lives up to its title, as Dan (backed up by his Hades mates Jimmy Schulman, Ron Lipnicki and Scott LePage on most songs) explores several different sounds and styles that you might not expect from a guy known as a "speed metal" guitar player. The classical/ acoustic piece "Bocca Della Verita" starts things off on a mellow note, while the programmed drums that give "Clintonesque" an industrial feel and the hip-hoppish "I'll Go North" will probably raise the eyebrows of a few Hades fans. What holds the collection together is Dan's sarcastic, opinionated sense of humor, the best example being the funny-as-hell "I'll Go North," which bashes on snobby music store clerks, local musicians who think plastering their stickers on toll booths is "publicity," and bands who claim they've written 35 songs for their new CD and then release a 12-song disc (with only three good songs on it). Fans of the heavier end of the spectrum will dig the more straightforward "1974," the boastful "You Wanted The Best" (which is not to be confused with the Kiss song, even though it does name-drop them along with AC/DC, Cheap Trick, and Aerosmith), the lead-footed "You're Out" and the hard-driving instrumental "PhD. In Cleveland." Musically, CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH has several highlights, but Lorenzo's hoarse vocals definitely take a few spins to get used to...if you can imagine Monster Magnet's Dave Wyndorf with a sore throat, you might get the idea. Let's just say that it's a good thing Dan had Alan Tecchio to do the singing in Hades. Dan's singing doesn't totally overshadow the proceedings, but there are a few particularly gravelly moments (mainly in "1974" and the cover of Kiss' "Two Timer," where Dan sounds like a drunk biker at an open mike night) that made me wince on the first pass. At the end of the day, CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH is a mostly-enjoyable collection that'll give Hades fans something to chew on till their next (possible?) reunion phase. - Keith Abt Back to Cut From A Different Cloth reviews. # # # Metal Maniacs | The Aquarian | That’s So Metal | Harder Beat | Transcending the Mundane | Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles | Unchain the Underground | Sleazegrinder
Dan Lorenzo Freed from his Hades straight jacket, Jersey rocker Dan Lorenzo is all over the damn place on his second solo record in eight months, Nice Being Alone. Whereas his ax proclivities were funneled into a more directional sub-genre within the confines of Hades (one of the great New Jersey metal bands), here his "maturity" has loosened his constrictions and sent his obvious Kiss worship over the top. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as Lorenzo, to his credit, keeps things heavy and dumbed-down on purpose because, after all, this isn't brain surgery, is it? Dan just likes to have fun and it sounds like he's having plenty of it on Nice Being Alone. That, and his guitar is still razor-sharp, reeking with excess sweat'n'guts, devoid of flab, straight-to-the-point economical and, ultimately driven with the kind of 70s roots-reverence that only high-minded rockers of his generation have the wisdom and chops to even emulate. Sure, the "conversation" on "F-Bombs For Everyone," in an effort to distill a "regular-guy" vibe, only makes one push the forward button to "Naked" on repeated listens, but that's a minor beef. Lorenzo has hardcore and metal vocal chops he didn't even know he had (as long as he doesn't really try to sing), that fits right in with the loose and sloppy kick-out-the-jams-type riffs that sound better the louder you play it. Lorenzo wrote, sings, plays bass and plays guitar on almost all 13 tracks, with Ron Lipnicki drumming on most. Overkill's Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth sings on "Too Fast For Hate." You got some flute on two tracks too which means Dan's been grooving to Jethro Tull in his old age.—Mike Greenblatt Back to Nice Being Alone reviews. # # # The Aquarian did a writeup on Dan the week of December 22, 2004. Click here to view it in PDF format. Back to Nice Being Alone reviews. # # #
Dan Lorenzo - Nice Being Alone RICH Dan Lorenzo of the Jersey band Hades takes it upon himself to release another album available through his website. Dan obviously has no interest in what's going on in music, doesn't follow any of the trends, and doesn't even seem to be influenced by the different sounds heard in Metal today. His choice in guitar sound and song arrangements are heavy, not that long in length, even the track that features Blitz from Overkill on vocals is only like 2 minutes long. All vocals, guitars and bass were performed by Dan. Some songs like "My Level" will remind you of Hades, guitar tone is rather Sabbathy and dark especially on "Nothing". As far as music that has a cool hook and chorus it's really not present. Dan seems to write more from an artistic and expressive place. "Keep it Together" has a cool riff that adds a flow to it better than many of the other tunes. Something like "F Bombs for Everyone" was a fun song obviously and not taken too seriously when recorded, with some spoken dialogue and the given song title as the chorus. Judging from the cover picture of Dan's boots on the street and the overall direction of the album, the music comes from just that place, the street, with attitude and what he sees going on around him. Something a little different and more down to earth than your average sounding Heavy Rock record both in sound and content. TONI What a cool CD! I love the rawness that Dan has captured on his latest project, "Nice Being Alone". This CD, which is available through Dan's website, www.DanLorenzo.net has a very gritty and stripped down feel, as do his lyrics and production. Dan mixes sounds of thrash, classic metal, and a dash of straight ahead rock and roll to keep things moving and hold your ear's attention. This is total Dan, total guitar and totally rockin'!! Dan's originals are modern, however, they don’t sound like the run of the mill, cookie-cutter 'metal' bands out there. This is uniqueness at its heaviest and finest! There's a bit of humor, some tongue-in-cheek chatter from the studio, a pinch of the blues and an awesome cover of Kiss's "Goin Blind"( in my mind it rivals the original note for note!). Do yourselves a favor, pick up "Nice Being Alone" and thank Dan for keeping rock and roll alive in this time of over-produced and mass-marketed music. Back to Nice Being Alone reviews. # # #
Dan Lorenzo – Nice Being Alone, www.danlorenzo.net This is the second solo album for former Hades guitarist Dan Lorenzo, and you know what? It’s pretty damn cool. The album is full of Lorenzo’s trademark cynical sense of humor and his guitars are surprisingly doom-y as well. Swear to God, at times there are moments on this disc only Trouble and Cathedral can match for sheer heaviness. Like on “Nothing” for instance, Lorenzo’s guitar sound is preposterously heavy. The guy is an enigma. Just when you think you know his motivation, he’ll steamroll you with “Keep It Together” or the hilarious “F Bombs For Everyone.” Nobody can really figure out where the guy is coming from. Come to think of it, that’s the whole point, isn’t it? KKKK Reviewed by: Dale Lammers Back to Nice Being Alone reviews. # # #
Dan Lorenzo - Nice Being Alone Back to Nice Being Alone reviews. # # #
DAN LORENZO Hades axekiller Dan Lorenzo is back with his second solo album, and from the classy graphics right on down, this is a more serious effort than the first one. Serious, and seriously doomy! Which is what Dan has always done best, sludging forth with welts of melting wattage strangely, oddly, when you ironically don't expect it. The guy is Trouble personified, as can be heard on the gloriously brick-weighted 'Nothing', 'Naked' and 'Keep It Together'. Elsewhere, Dan's funky rock 'n' rollsiness comes out, as well as an amusing predilection for spitting his vocals rap-style. The cover of Kiss' 'Goin' Blind’ fits the brooding crunch of this thing perfectly though, Dan heavy-ing and sludging it up like the song deserves. Still, the performances can be a bit loose, the production variable, and the vocals imprecise, so a few marks off for that, even if there's a charm to the guy's oddball collection of all-metal styles. Review by: Martin Popoff Back to Nice Being Alone reviews. # # # Dan Lorenzo - Nice Being Alone (self-released, 2004) Back to Nice Being Alone reviews. # # #
Dan Lorenzo, former axeman for 80’s Jersey thrashers Hades (ask your older brother, he’ll tell ya), returns with another dose of his signature one-man-band snarl n’ roll. Well, one man plus a drummer (Rob Lipnicki, most of the time), and a few heavy friends here and there, including Overkill screecher Bobby Ellsworth, who sings lead on the punky “Too Fast For Hate” (which doesn’t rip off the Crue, but does nab a few lines from Queen, and may or may not just be a CBGB’s hardcore matinee versh of Blitz’s own “Hello From the Gutter”), and like, dudes from Single Bullet Theory and the Amish Outlaws. Mostly, tho, it’s Mr Dan and his denim-thrashing guitar and his demonic belch, and a dozen or so new, witty, flash metal tunes. Best of the bunch, no doubt, is the throbbing “Keep it Together”, which sounds like 27th century Japanese cock rock, and borrows long-lost Floridian cyber-glam punks The Kill’s best riff ever to achieve the effect. I mean, probably not on purpose, but mebbe you’ll recognize it. Either way, it rocks like crazy. Then there’s “Naked”, a doomy power metal track about internet porn that sounds like a panicky Judas Priest, the howling faux-nu-jack metal of “F-Bombs For Everyone”, which is pretty much what happens to anyone who has lived in the shadows of New York City for too long, and a brilliantly sinister versh of early Kiss nugget “Goin’ Blind”, to name a few. Tagged on at the end are the “Not so Hidden” tracks, which include an ‘alternate’ take on “F-Bombs”, where Dan-o pretty much channels his inner Comic Book Guy, and a prank phone call or two. Oh, and the prog-Sabbath riff orgy “Frozen Planet” is the “video mix”, which must mean there’s a video somewhere. Some of this stuff is strictly for Lorenzo’s own obscure amusement, mind you (unless yr a hardcore Dan Lorenzo-phile), but there’s just as much method as madness here, so if yer up for some smart, funny heavy metal (I know, who knew, right?) then Dan is still the man. - Sleazegrinder Back to the top # # #
Live 4 Metal | The Record | Harder Beat | Transcending the Mundane
Dan Lorenzo - Cassius King (Self Released) Review by Sue The bands Hades and Non-Fiction may not be household names everywhere, but here in the Northeastern U.S. they’re the stuff of legend. At the core of both bands is guitarist Dan Lorenzo and vocalist Alan Tecchio (also known for singing on the great Watchtower album, Control and Resistance). Basically, Hades was a popular speed/power metal band in the late ‘80s, its benchmark albums Resisting Success and If At First You Don’t Succeed selling quite well at the time and allowing the band to do a couple of stints in Europe. The group dissolved in 1989 and the members went their separate ways. Upon Tecchio’s return from his short time in Texas with Watchtower, he and Dan formed Non-Fiction, a heavy grunge-meets-metal band that released two fine albums and were one of the #1 bands in the New York metro club circuit. But that group eventually disbanded as well, leaving a void that was again filled by Hades, who went on to release several more albums including SaviorSelf and DamNation. Hades is currently on indefinite hiatus, but riffmaster general Lorenzo is not one to sit around. Back to Cassius King Reviews # # #
Dan Lorenzo, "Cassius King" (ETR) *** On his solo debut, former Hades and Non-Fiction guitarist Dan Lorenzo combines elements of his past and adds a previously unheard sense of humor. The Paramus native also takes on lead vocal duties for the first time, proving a capable frontman. Lorenzo's knack for writing chunky, memorable hard rock and metal riffs shines on "Frozen Planet" and the title track, both midtempo sludge fests that could easily pass for Non-Fiction. "Target Fixation" and "4 More Years/USA" are scathing indictments of American social ills seen from Lorenzo's conservative viewpoint, a lyrical approach used often in Hades. In fact, "Target Fixation" reunites all but one of that five-member outfit, with Alan Tecchio handling vocals, Jimmy Schulman on bass, and Ron Lipnicki on drums. But "Cassius King" isn't as dark and as cynical as Hades and Non-Fiction. On several tracks Lorenzo's got his tongue planted firmly in cheek. Album-opener "Kiss Off" is a humorous nod to KISS, Lorenzo's boyhood idols. "Dan Zig Hates X-Mas" parodies the brooding, ever-so-solemn Glen Danzig, and "Big Country" is a cringe-inducing stab at country that we can only hope wasn't intended to be serious. Lorenzo even shares the love, including a pair of bonus tracks from local bands - "Never Hide" from melodic rockers Years of Static and "What's Done Is Done" by the heavier Lowbuz, both worth checking out. - Brian Aberback Back to Cassius King Reviews # # #
Dan Lorenzo – Cassius King, www.danlorenzo.net Dan Lorenzo’s a free thinker. Sick to death of dealing with labels and what was expected of his previous band, Hades, he surrounded himself with like-minded people and explored his creative freedoms. Cassius King is an album where Lorenzo does what he likes, when he likes, period. Thus, many genres are represented here as well. For instance, we are presented with the doomy, stoner-esque title track, a remake of Kiss’ “Hotter the Hell,” Aerosmith’s “Round and Round,” and the hilarious AC/DC-isms of “BS.” (“Dan Zig Hates X-Mas” deserves honorable mention too.) But you know what? Lorenzo’s got a knack for infectious riffs too. As a whole, the album conveys it’s intended message to the listener Get over yourself, get a friggin’ sense of humour and dig up some cool music. Here’s a good place to start. Get it at www.danlorenzo.net. Rating: KKKK Review by Dale Lammers Back to Cassius King Reviews # # #
Dan Lorenzo - Cassius King Genre: Heavy Metal/NWOBHM, Stoner/Sludge Metal My favorite guitarist is Dan Lorenzo. Dan began his career in the mid eighties with Hades. Two popular technical thrash albums (Resisting Success and If At First You Don't Succeed) followed. Hades split and Dan and vocalist Alan Tecchio formed Non Fiction and they proceeded to release three amazing records (Savior Self, The Downside, and Damnation) on Metal Blade. Unfortunately Hades has again been laid to rest. Luckily, Dan brings us this solo debut and many of his ex-bandmates help out. Dan performs all the guitars, most vocals and bass, but Hades guys Jimmy Schulman (bass), Alan Tecchio (vocals), and Ron Lipnicki (drums) help out, as does drummer John Milnes. Cassius King is raw, energetic and honest. It appears that Dan wanted to write and record, not waste time. The result is refreshing. "Frozen Planet" is hypnotic, "Cassius King" is more in line with stoner rock, "This Thing of Ours" rocks like old Aerosmith and seventies rock. Those familar with Non Fiction and recent Hades should not be surprised by Cassius King's direction. With Alan's soaring vocals only appearing on "Target Fixation", Dan's raw, almost hypnotic style is more in the realm of bands like Clutch and Monster Magnet. By the way, "Target Fixation" is killer - Dan's my favorite guitarist, but Alan is also my favorite singer. It breaks my heart seeing Hades end. Alan does not get the press or the respect he deserves as he is every bit as good as Geoff Tate and Rob Halford. Dan makes his poltical views clear on "4 More Years/ U.S.A." which should dispel some backlash he received for Damnation. Elsewhere, Dan plays tribute to Danzig (or should I say John Christ) on "Dan Zig Hates X-mas," and there are covers of Aerosmith's "Round and Round" and Kiss' "Hotter Than Hell." Album Score: 9 out of 10 Back to Cassius King Reviews # # #
DAN LORENZO Non-Fiction/Hades guitarist Dan Lorenzo is one of metal’s well-known wiseacres (remember the Bon Scott hoax), and now’s he’s got his own album (with help from an army of headbanged friends), which opens with a hilarious track called ‘Kiss Off’ which features Dan telling a buddy that Kiss OWES him after all the money he’s spent on them, and how he’s gonna play their riffs whether they like it or not. Anyway, he does offer a beefy version of ‘Hotter Than Hell’ and an even beefier round of ‘Round And Round’ by Aerosmith. Elsewhere, the originals also go to this same philosophical zone, Dan being a guitarist who likes his guitars (er, I guess most do), Lorenzo turning them up to Trouble-doomed levels, wrapping nay, smothering - these slow, thick riffs in enough electricity to down The Nuge in hunting season. The album smokes upon a black-broken lope, even if Dan’s singing voice occasionally wanders off-key (excepting the accuracy though, it’s actually a really good voice). If I was to try sum this up, I would say what you’ve got here is a surprisingly Sabbatherian slab with huge grooves and tinges of self-deprecating humour actually it’s a bit like top flight stoner rock, top flight ‘cos Dan doesn’t come from that discipline and thus doesn’t play by the rules. Highlight: ‘Frozen Planet (No Cursing)’ that pummels upon a riff made of magma. Post-script look for three hidden bonus tracks, complete with Dan rattling off full credits for ‘em all. Rating: 7.5 Review by Martin Popoff Back to Cassius King Reviews # # # Review of Dan’s new album, Cassius King, from:
Dan Lorenzo, founder of proto-speed metal Jersey devils Hades, eschews the speed-thrills blister of yore for a solo album fulla bag-of-hammers stoner-goth crunch rock. Mr. Dan plays just about everything possible on this ‘un, but it neatly side-steps one-man-banditis ‘cuz, well, ‘cuz it’s so fuckin’ loud. “Cassius King” (Ha! Get it?) is rife with COC/Black Label Society-styled biker punch-outs (I mentioned he’s from Jersey, right?) fueled by riffs that sound like hairy man-beasts riding the backs of giant insects and lotsa tongue-in-cheek lyrics that only sound that way if ya listen real close (you know, just like Dirty Power), spit out like a fireball-eyed headbanger preacherman anointing the faithful at a sweaty metalfest. The kickin’-est of tracks on display have gotta be the awesomely named “Dan Zig Hates Xmas” (“The winter time is killin’ me”), which actually borrows a riff from the first Danzig album and rides it into all sortsa sleazy sides o’ town (and dig that bitchin’ acid rocking solo), the stoner-doom slugfest of “Frozen Planet”, which, naturally, sounds like Sabbath trapped under ice, and the bitchin’ cock n’ roll flash “Hotter Than Hell”, which has gotta be the best KISS cover I’ve heard since White Zombie did “God of Thunder”- and that was a long time ago, daddy-o. Oh yeah, and there’s a kinda-mocking, kinda-not country track on here too (“Big Country”), and a buncha un-named tracks at the end, one of which is a creepy-cool acoustic thang. I tell ya man, the first time I heard Hades was in, like, 1982, and I really thought this was gonna sound like that. Ya know, dated. Silly fuckin’ me. Lorenzo brings the Rock on this one, man. The bullet-belt wearing speedheads in Germany or wherever will probably weep all over their Hades chest tattoos when they hear the flashy mayhem Lorenzo has wrought here, but that’s their problem. Fans of slinky, blood guzzling motormetal, on the other hand, will most likely freak freely with “Cassius King”. Click here for ordering info. |
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