Tom Gattis is not exactly a newbie in the metal scene. As far back as 1978 he formed the band DEUCE (featuring Marty Friedman in their line-up for a while) who in 1981 released the now very sought after single "I'm Saved". He later recorded albums with TENSION and WARDOG. People familiar with these last two bands will have an idea what to expect.

While BALLISTIC's music is fast and heavy enough to be labeled speed metal its clear Gattis' roots lie in the NWOBHM (Gattis' vocals are even reminiscent of SAXON's Biff Byford) and the US speed/thrash-metal of the mid- to late 80's/early 90's. Don't expect any semi-hardcore one-note-riffing sports jock-metal in the MACHINE HEAD/late PANTERA-vein. BALLISTIC is just as heavy as any of those kinds of bands, but a lot more thought has gone in the song-arrangements. These are top-notch musicians that prove that it's possible to be melodic yet heavy and aggressive at the same time. While the material is pretty straightforward metal Gattis and co. have also managed to sneak in some beautiful double-lead parts and semi-proggy time changes that are somewhat akin' to CACOPHONY (hey, there's that Friedman-dude again) or early ANNIHILATOR. BALLISTIC have made a very good old-fashioned metal record that unfortunately will probably never make it big. Their music is so relentlessly metal that people who are not too familiar with the genre will totally not get it. No crossover-appeal to be found here, BALLISTIC are metal and proud of it. They could become a household name in the metal-scene though. People who are into the aforementioned NWOBHM (that's New Wave of British Heavy Metal for the unenlightened) and/or US speed/thrash-metal of the mid- to late 80's/early 90's definitely need to hear this.

- Van Hoften

OFFICIAL SITE: www.gattismetal.com

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