Search - Widowmaker :: Standby for Pain

Dee proves he is at the forefront of Metal

guitar_buyer | Queens, NY | 09/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Between Dee Snider's departure from the legendary Twisted Sister and his subsequent band Widowmaker, Dee had released his magnum opus, the (sadly) unreleased Desperado album. The Widowmaker "Blood and Bullets" album followed, rehashing many of the Desperado songs. That album had a commercial edge, partially due to the fact that the Desperado songs were written in the 80s. Several years later, Dee was on hard times. He was bankrupt and reportedly rode a bicycle to a clerical job to feed his family. The Standby for Pain album came out shortly after this trying period in Dee's life. It's a very organic-sounding album, written, rehearsed, and recorded in the scope of only several weeks. The guitar is dark and heavy, courtesy of Al Pitrelli, newly of Megadeth. As for Dee, his voice has been fermenting over the years like good wine. Much like Mr. Ronnie James Dio, Dee Snider sounds great in his middle age. This is not a happy album--and once again Dee delivers the goods. "Twisted pictures pass
Through the tainted glass
I relive it all in silent rage"
-'All things must change'"

GOOD HEAVY STUFF!

Eric Zacherau | Nutley, NJ | 02/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I gave this recording 4 stars,Dee and Al are a very heavy duo! I would have given this 5 stars but I would have to give that last star to the first recording-Blood and Bullets. Nothing is better than seeing these guys live! Dee, when you playing out again?Anyway I do believe this recording is a must"

Crunchy Guitars - Eargasm

johnallen@mindspring.com | Atlanta, GA | 05/22/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you like Motley Crue Motley Crue (minus Vince Neil), Warrant, Skid Row, Fight, Accept, etc. then this one's for you. Overall it has a hard, driving quality that causes you to move and crank the sound dial higher. Killing Time drips with an awesome stalking quality - with Dee Snider sneering out a great lyric. The guitar work is violent, clever, and laced with attitude. The 2nd and 3rd songs pretty much cook - but in a slightly different way. The 4th song rocks and really causes you to strap yourself in! The title track: Stand By For Pain, shambles out with a really big sound. There's an interesting prelude that builds and tantalizes, until the guitars crash through and roughly rub your face in it. It's rather similar to the Scorpion's "The Zoo" in that it keeps a slower pace, but serves up some awesome guitar work. The fills are truly excellent. There are some other good pieces here too, but they can't all be in your face like tracks 1 and 7. I like a consistent, thrashing, driving CD, and this slows down a bit towards the end. All in all - it flat out rocks and truly deserves a solid 4 in my book. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD now!"