SNAKE EYE – Ritual Instinct

One of life’s greatest wonders is the learning experiences and development that an infant of any species goes through during their first year of life. For the human species, this extreme amount of learning might be attributed to massive electron usage in the brain, extreme muscle development, etc. For most animal species, some might declare this type of development as pure instinct. For the impressive maturity that has occurred between Snake Eye’s debut release (Wild Senses) and their second offering, some might attribute it to Ritual Instinct, which just so happens to be the title of this outstanding sophomore release. Unfortunately, it took three years for vocalist Boban Milojevic and his boys to get together a second release, but it can all be summed up by one tireless adage … “Good things come to those who wait.”

It’s no secret that Snake Eye’s initial release was met with mediocre fanfare by the press. Some of the change, for the better, can be attributed to a slightly different band, the biggest being the addition and fretwork of late bloomer, Xavier Paladian. Xavier joined the band after the recording of Wild Senses, hence none of his masterful work was captured on that album. Additionally, the aesthetics of the band have changed by going from two guitarists to just one (the aforementioned Xavier).

The music on this new release is solid throughout, and is comparable to some of the best 80’s Hard Rock bands of our time, while still retaining a sound of their own. Boban’s vocals are best described as a grittier Sammy Hagar, with touches of David Coverdale thrown in here and there.

The thirty-one year old guitarist Xavier also puts in an outstanding performance from end to end. His solos are appropriate in length, melodic, full of feel, and memorable. He also drops occasional hints of his potential shredding abilities now and again. This disc should certainly put him on the list of everyone’s up-and-coming guitarists, and has placed him on the media’s “watch list” of guitarists in 2006. This is high esteem for a gent releasing this, surprisingly, his first big record! The rhythm section of Charpentier and Morroni are also solid, as both work in unison to provide a strong, solid foundation.

Normally, a review would cite the strong tracks on a release, but literally all thirteen tracks on this disc are radio worthy and pack a Hard Rock punch. That’s probably not the easiest feat to accomplish, considering the entire band took part in the writing process for the majority of these tracks. Now, to be fair to the prospective buyer … the music on this release is best compared to early (Andi Deris era) Pink Cream 69 and early Dokken. Remember the times of melodic vocal hooks accompanied by gritty guitar rhythms, a solid, bass, and Rock drumbeat all capped off by a mesmerizing guitar solo? If that doesn’t get you excited, then look elsewhere, and have your pulse checked.

To help quell any rumors, some might have heard that Boban is also the new vocalist for the band Wicked Sensation. Snake Eye’s label (John Kivel of Kivel Records) assured Metal Express Radio that Boban has time afforded for both bands; in fact, a third Snake Eye release is already in the works. If the band continues their perpetual rise in artistic development, then the third release should be nothing short of stellar! Support them via CD sales and requests on Metal Express Radio, while the rest add this release to the various Top Ten Releases in 2006 chart.

Lineup

Boban Milojevic – Vocals
Xavier Paladian – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Eric Charpentier – Bass
Dom Morroni – Drums