CD REVIEW: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS w/ CHESTER BENNINGTON – High Rise

Label: 13Star Records

Release Date: October 8, 2013

Rating: 10/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

The term “supergroup” has been beat to shit over the years.  Some bands fall into that classification and some don’t.  Some bands don’t want to be lumped into that mess and just want to create music.  The latest EP from Stone Temple Pilots proves that they are one of the latter.  This EP is one of the best things I have heard come out of that camp in years.

The songs are well arranged and played.  Listening to the songs, you know where the heart and soul of STP tracks past came from, as the five tracks here feature a lot of the same style as those tracks.  From “Out Of Time” and its in your face opening to “Tomorrow” and its mellow creep towards the end of the disc, this is full of gems.  The absence of the former vocalist is not evident – not in the least.   Bennington has stepped up and made these tracks his.  Will there be comparisons?  Sure – the music is still being played by the same guys, so the sound hasn’t changed much.

The chorus of the opening track should make this a live staple for the band.  “Black Heart” and “Cry Cry” both feature the familiar riffs from Dean DeLeo and the pounding rhythm section as supplied by bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz.  “Same On The Inside” really allows Chester to stretch his vocals chords and show the fans what he brings to the band.  This guy can sing and his voice melds well with the sound of the ‘Pilots.  “Tomorrow” closes the disc on a historical note, as the riffs are familiar, but new and fresh at the same time.

The voice has changed, the band and sound have remained the same, and this band is back on an upward trajectory.  I can’t wait to see how this whole package goes over live and brings the material, new and old, to the fans and public.

Tracklisting: Out Of Time – Black Heart – Same On The Inside – Cry Cry – Tomorrow

http://www.stonetemplepilots.com

https://www.facebook.com/stpband

Category: CD Reviews