The Showdown - Temptation Come My Way

The second album from the Tennessee band The Showdown is a combination of a lot of different influences, and the final product is very melodic. Temptation Come My Way has everything from hair metal to grunge rock to southern rock to traditional metal to alternative rock to classic rock. The album has the heaviness of groups like Pantera, but also the modern and more commercial sound of bands like Nickelback and 3 Doors Down.

Every song on the album is radio friendly and packed with hooks. The guitar work is good and ranges from twangy acoustic to standard metal riffs to screaming solos. David Bunton is The Showdown's vocalist, and although his voice is melodic, it also has a little edginess to it as well. He also belts out a few screams throughout the album. The Showdown are a Christian band trying to cross over to the mainstream, but their lyrics do not come off as preachy at all.

One of the more interesting songs on the album is The Showdown's cover of the classic rock staple "Carry On My Wayward Son," originally done by Kansas. It's a pretty faithful rendition, but with a little added crunch and a lot lower pitched vocals. Temptation Comes My Way isn't revolutionary or groundbreaking, but it is a very enjoyable dose of melodic metal with a southern twist.