ROX Review
American Terror : Influencer
Out on digital platforms.
Heavy punk/metal band American Terror, featuring members of Skid Row, Sugar Ray, Phunk Junkeez, and Grayson Manor, has just released their debut album, titled “Influencer”. The record is available to stream & purchase on all major digital platforms and has been released by EMP Label Group, the label founded by Megadeth bassist David Ellefson with industry executive Thom Hazaert.
“Influencer” arrives on the heels of the success of American Terror’s recent singles, “Judgement” and “She’s A Bitch”. These two tracks leading up to the full-length release quickly built momentum for the band, thanks to features on Spotify’s editorial and algorithmic playlists, in addition to spots on over 240 user playlists. With 16,000+ monthly listeners, 40,000+ streams, and 28,000+ YouTube views across multiple channels, prominent rock media outlets took notice and covered the band’s progress, including Blabbermouth, BraveWords, Ultimate-Guitar, and KNAC.
“Influencer” was engineered, produced, and mixed by vocalist Brad Cox (Grayson Manor) at his Black Paw Studios in Lawrenceville, GA. Brad is partners in the publishing company Black Paw Music with legendary producer Mike Clink (Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth, Metallica) and recently mixed Icarus Witch’s album, Goodbye Cruel World. The record was mastered by Troy Glessner (Disturbed, August Burns Red, Icon For Hire) at Spectre Studios in Seattle, WA.
The band’s studio and creative lineup includes guitarist Pat Valley (Grayson Manor), bassist Murphy Karges (ex-Sugar Ray), drummer Rob Hammersmith (Skid Row), and DJ Soulman (Phunk Junkeez), with bassist GK Via (Grayson Manor) stepping in live. GK and Brad had also previously teamed up in the hardcore band Superjak, which was managed by Billy Milano (Stormtroopers Of Death, M.O.D.).
Of course, Dave Ellefson knows good, hard, music when he hears it. He has a nose for great talent and American Terror are no exception. "Influencer" is a big "fuck you" to modern society in 10 loud, brash songs. From the opener "Judgement" to "PC Me" this album never lets up its verbal and musical assault on the world. Their sound and lyrics pull no punches, full of modern punk agnst with a sense of melody that is missing in some of this music which is great to hear. Megadeth's original punkier sound is there too but this is a punk album for the 2020s generation, sick and tired of the way social media and governments mess up their lives. Production is clean whilst maintaining the urgency of their songs. Vocalist Brad Cox has a great snarl and he is backed up by guitarist (who kicks ass) Pat Valley and others help out in the studio and live. I doubt they'll ever be short of people wanting to play with them!
A great, modern punk metal album for the times we are in. 9/10 Roxie.
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