HELLYEAH – Hellyeah

First there was Pantera, then Damageplan, from there it was Rebel Meets Rebel, now this new project called Hellyeah. It seems as if Vinnie Paul is getting further and further away from Metal and becoming engulfed in a Southern Rock/Redneck style of music. It’s understandable and even excusable considering what he has lived through and witnessed back on that horrific night of December 8, 2004. Perhaps this is Vin’s way of dealing with the pain and his time away from the music scene until recently. Maybe this Southern Rock kick (Rebel Meets Rebel and Hellyeah) is what he needs right now. If so, even if it lasts for the rest of his musical career, then fans of his will understand that and let it be.

It’s pretty much a given that hardly any effort went into naming the supergroup Hellyeah. Some of that same attitude was even reserved for the writing of the music and lyrics, it appears, as you listen from beginning to end. So who is in this supergroup you might ask? There is drummer Vinnie Paul, bassist Bob Zilla (Damageplan), vocalist Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett (both from Mudvayne), guitarist Tom Maxwell, and ex-bassist Jerry Montano (both from Nothingface). Jerry played on the CD, but was soon released after the album was completed. Jerry’s days were numbered when at the release party he became drunk and violent, eventually punching Tom Maxwell in the face. Escorted away and asked to leave, Montano vowed he would return with a gun and shoot everybody. Bad move bro — see if you ever get a gig again!

Musically, if you are expecting to hear Pantera in this album, best to just go and buy a Pantera album. The same thing can be said about Mudvayne and Nothingface. Hellyeah is nothing more than a Rock/Southern Rock, party-themed, novelty album. Labeling the band as Heavy Metal is like giving the Ramones Musicians of the Year awards.

There is nothing on this CD that stands out so much or blows away the listener that would cause one to listen to it over and over again. The music is basically unoriginal with the lyrics following in stride. There are a few (two or three) tracks that are a bit heavier than the rest, but that does not constitute a Heavy Metal album by any means. Except for the opener “Hellyeah,” which opens up with great fervor, and “Goddamn,” the second heaviest track coming five songs later, there isn’t much headbanging to be done. The second track, “You Wouldn’t Know,” is the CD’s third surprise and deals with the difficulty in maintaining one’s integrity while working in the profit-obsessed music industry. All-in-all, not a bad track, really. “Alcohaulin’ Ass” is the first song where Southern Rock influences take control of a song. It is entertaining somewhat, and has a good bass sound and a decent enough guitar solo, even though it is a bit short in length. “Thank You” is a decent enough track that deals with saying goodbye to recently departed family members of the band in their own way. The one track on the entire album that has a strong Pantera sound that shines through is “One Thing.” The chorus is definitely straight from A Vulgar Display of Power‘s “A New Level.” The remainder of the album, though, doesn’t even warrant comment.

All said, except for a few good songs, the album is nothing more than an average Rock/Southern Rock production that has some periodic entertainment value. This album has a take it or leave it aura surrounding it. Fans of Vinnie Paul and Pantera for the most part will take it (due to their loyalty) whereas others will leave it.