For any artists that go solo, it's a major and possibly dangerous feat, but for Crimson Glory/Parish guitarist Ben Jackson, it has been a splendor of melodic heavy metal endurance that is a continuation of his musical prowess that was brought forth with his past endeavors.
On his third release as a solo artist,
All Over You, Jackson balances out the sub-progressive technicalities with a grittier formula for a record that brings his retrofitted past with a modernized hard rock approach. Showing his strengths as a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Jackson delivers the typical rock styling of tracks like "
Turn it On," more heaviness with the dark grinding "
Falling Down," a thick atmosphere with the moody "
Eyes of Ice," and catchy metal with "
Break it," all being some of the highlights of the record's rockin' approach. There is of course a ballad, which is titled "
Ghost in the Mirror" that adds the contrast to the otherwise driving record.
As a guitarist, he provides solos and riffs that are catchy and are indeed well phrased throughout the record, played out to add more dimension rather than for the sake of showing off. As a singer, Jackson maybe no Midnight, but yet he sings in the style of just about any guitarist that steps in front of the mic, with a good range that always stays on key; probably a good thing for those who might not want the falsettos lining the lyrical structure.
Looking at this record, it sort of aligns itself with Russell Allen's
Atomic Soul, although
All Over You leans more towards the melodic metal side of things rather than
Soul going in the classic rock style heavy metal direction; but never-the-less, it's a record of hook and riff splendor, with the sing-along factor being present, far proving that Jackson is worthy as a solo artist.
Written by
Hashman Saturday, April 23, 2005
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