PROJECT ASSEGAI – Project Assegai (2018)

PROJECT ASSEGAI is the self-titled debut album released today from this Newcastle based band formed from the ashes of heavy rockers Vendetta.
A purely studio based enterprise, it comprises the guitar talents of Edward Box (also lead vocals) and the powerhouse rhythm section of Vendetta’s bassist Gary Foalle, and drummer Ronnie Mclean, formerly of Reign.

“Project Assegai” is inspired by elaborated ’80s metal / hard rock, plenty of powerful riffs and swirling guitar solos. It’s a guitar driven album, and indeed at places brings to mind Driver, the band including singer Rob Rock.
Ok, Edward Box doesn’t match Rob’s pipes, but works fine with this musical environment.

There’s several influences, like Impellitteri on the heavy ‘Judgement Night’, a bit a Dokken in ‘Revolution in Mind’, but also more melodic waves on tracks like ‘Outworld’ including nice harmony vocals.
‘Conform’ has some Queenryche on it, I hear an Eighties riffage and verses akin Steeler (Ron Keel / Malmsteen US band) on ‘Mother Lode’.

With closer ‘My Ship Has Sailed’ Project Assegai change the focus for a relaxed tune including atmospheric synths, clean guitars – both electric and acoustic – and a little progressive approach.

“Project Assegai” is a quite interesting studio project, based in UK but with a strong ‘American’ sound, taking influences from the ’80s / early ’90s US metal / hard rock.
It’s all well composed, performed and recorded, with fine balance between heaviness and melody and songs around the four minute mark which benefits the flow of the album.
Strong debut.

01. Crimson Dawn
02. Judgement Night
03. Revolution in Mind
04. Outworld
05. In Your Eyes
06. Conform
07. Transfusion of Fear
08. No Holds Barred
09. Mother Lode
10. Is This Armageddon
11. My Ship Has Sailed

Edward Box – Vocals, Guitars
Gary Foalle – Bass
Ronnie Mclean – Drums

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