Hellyeah - 'Stampede'

Though touted as some kind of mind blowing supergroup, Hellyeah continues to be a letdown in spite of the band's impressive pedigree. But it's because the band is so talented that they can't help but create some powerful moments that indicate that while not realized, the band's potential is bound to break through the door at some point.

Considering that the band is comprised of Mudvayne, Nothingface, Pantera and Damageplan alumni, one would be forgiven for assuming they are a face-ripping metal band, but as their sophomore effort Stampede demonstrates, Hellyeah is very much a hard rock/metal hybrid. While there are signs of improvement, Hellyeah continues to disappoint in spite of its remarkable pedigree.

As a hard rock album, it definitely offers more depth and quality than the radio racket of, say, Nickelback, but that's not saying much. And unfortunately like said band, many of Chad Gray's choruses are completely cheesy, basic and annoying. Though they aren't nearly as bothersome as his southern-obsessed lyrics. He sings, "It's just the good 'ol boy in me...I got my girl, I got my family, I got my booze, and that's all I need," in "Hell Of A Time" (We get it, you like to wear cowboy hats and sing about whiskey like Phil Anselmo).

On the plus side, some of the songs marry lush, modern production, simple bridges and hard rock changes with eighties-style solos, riffs and vocals reminiscent of old Motley Crue, Van Halen and Ozzy Osbourne (Gray sounds like Ozzy on "Stand or Walk Away," an Ozzy Osbourne-esque song that's far better than anything the dark one has done in years).

And there are tracks like "Order The Sun" during which Hellyeah flexes its metallic muscles with brute force, unleashing jagged riffs, pounding drums, and throat-lacerating screams.

But setting the limited glowing moments aside, Stampede is essentially a waste of potential that Hellyeah will hopefully one day realize.

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