But what brought Mark Morton to the forefront of the metal fraternity and the wider music public in the last couple of years and particurly this year was the release of "Cross off" which is his collaboration with Chester Bennington. I don't think the story of Chester Bennington needs any replay here so lets focus on the song itself. This shows off Chester's vocals back to Linkin Park's early days with that heavier/angrier feeling. The song itself is well crafted and shows Mark Morton not only to be a talented musician but an excellent songwriter. It's only 4 minutes and 14 seconds long but it feels like they have packed in so much into the song and it really is great. Quite rightfully the song has seen the light of day. To me it shows what Linkin Park would have sounded like if they went in a heavier direction.
So a great start to the album but what about the rest of it? Well Mark Morton certainly seems to have a lot of friends in high places as there are a number of big names on here. For example Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge in "Save Defiance". This is another highlight of the album for me but probably this time down to Myles's sublime vocals rather than the guitar work.
When you say someone has a solo album out, you often think that, that person will be the main person on the album. But for me that is a difficult thing to say about this album. Sure Mark Morton was involved in writing all the songs. But Josh Wilbur the producer also gets writing credit for writing most of the songs too along with the singer who sang on each song. Moreover there are 22 different musicians who appear on this album! Which to me is incredible. And for me turns this from a solo album into a solo project. Now there is absolutley nothing wrong with a solo project but of course it would lead to difficulties in making this into a live show.
Although 11 different vocalists appear on the album, Mark Morton himself does take lead vocals on "Imaginary Days". He has clearly proven himself as a guitarist through his previous bands and his guitar work on here. But I think this song is a tester whether he can truely make a successful solo career. Personally I think he has a good, solid rock voice. While standing alongside the likes of Myles and Chester it does blend into the background a bit. But he is by no stretch of the imagination a bad vocalist and combine that with his songwriting and guitar work I think he has loads of potential to go solo properly.
I think the most interesting track on the album is saved for last and is called "The truth is dead". There is like a war during this song with light against dark. With vocals from Randy Blythe who is the vocalist from Lamb of God and Alissa White-Gluz from Arch Enemy. Randy's vocals are heavy and growling which is complete contrast to Alissa's angelic like vocals. The song bounces back and forth and works well and great way to end the album.
Overall I have focused on the highlights of the album. To be honest the rest of the album is ok, not bad, but not brilliant. I feel that Mark Morton has made a very intelligent move in his career by collaborating with these artists. Although he probably did it because he wanted to rather than seeing it as a career move. By doing this he turned the heads of fans (like myself) from bands like Linkin Park, Alter Bridge, Papa Roach, Arch Enemy etc... And turned their heads not only towards this album but I'm sure people will look into his other bands because of this as well. Although going by Randy Blythes vocals I probably won't be investigating Lamb of God. But I do think Morton himself is a pretty good vocalist and I hope his next album focuses more on him. This album is a very good effort all the same.
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