Feinstein, David Rock - 'Bitten By The Beast'

The Rods guitarist is back with some rocking songs.

David “Rock” Feinstein, original Elf guitarist and ring leader for New York trio the Rods, knows how to write a great rock/metal song. After all, the man wrote “Let Them Eat Metal” for the Rods in 1984. He’s been rocking with said band since 1980, while also focusing on his solo work. Bitten by the Beast is his second solo effort, released by the Niji Entertainment Group (Ronnie and Wendy Dio’s label).

Feinstein is a master of the all-mighty riff — simple-yet-strong, memorable and cathy as hell. He performed all the guitars, bass and vocals, while drummer Nate Horton laid down the beats.

CD opener “Smoke on the Horizon” gets things off in true Feinstein fashion — raspy, snarling vocals, a ripping solo and a killer chorus. “Evil in Me,” the longest of the nine tracks, begins with a dark, Dio-esque riff. The chorus is pretty catchy, with a Judas Priest type riff that carries it through.

Feinstein’s cousin, Ronnie Dio, performs on the song “Metal Will Never Die,” and is one of the last recordings he did before his death. It’s a fitting anthem by one of the greatest vocalists of rock and metal. Feinstein’s drummer and bassist in the Rods, Carl Canedy and Garry Bordonaro back him up on the song as well.

It’s not rocket science — just good, simple, catchy rock songs that will make you headbang and raise the horns in true old school fashion.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.