David Ellefson is back in 2005 with not one, but two bands releasing records at the end of this year. The first of these bands is F5. This band is very different than the previous efforts from Ellefson, and it gives him a chance to show us what he is like outside of the shadow of the mighty MEGADETH. This is a very disciplined release, well-executed and with great production. The band has nu-metal overtones galore, aligning themselves more with GODSMACK and DROWNING POOL than anything else. This release puts plenty of distance between Ellefson and MEGADETH, working with better guitarists, and a better vocalist. He won’t alienate most of the more recent 'DETH fans, but he won't be winning over the older crowd anytime soon.

Anyhoo, the music. Well, very mainstream-metal, rapid fire stop-start riffing, occasional solos, repetitive choruses and sparse lyrics are presented here. F5 has much more to offer the pissed-off teenager than the thrash fanatic. Vocalist Dale Steele (NUMM) gives his all, effortlessly moving from growls to floating choruses. The down-tuned guitars are tight as hell, and the drumming could occupy any open space on the next DISTURBED effort. The lyrics are all in the 50-60 word range with choruses hashed over and over again—repetitive enough to stay in the head of any angry adolescent? Ellefson’s bass is predictably up-front in the mix (like it wasn't enough that his opening bass-riff for “Peace Sells….” opened MTV’s "Music News" for years). BUT, I have this sneaky feeling that Ellefson is capable of so much more than this. Songs like “X’d Out” sports lyrics like, ”Within my hand 5 hours of sin, Open your mouth, let the thrill begin.” C’mon Dave. You can do better than this. Tommy Lee is going to college; maybe you can enroll and be his roommate. Wait, I forgot - his solo stuff is even worse than... Well anyway, once I reached the cover of EDIE BRICKELL’s “What I Am”, I realized that this disc has actually become quite annoying. I was saddened. Shiny plastic never looked so dull.

This is a good starting point for a bunch of capable musicians, but water this baby, ‘cuz it needs to grow! Ixnay on the overs-kay, and get down to business (isn't business still good?). People may buy this thing with Ellefson’s name and the "file under MEGADETH" sticker on it, but that doesn't mean F5 isn't destined for the cutout bin eventually. Quite disappointing.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.f5theband.com

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