Open Fire (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Kyle Thomas (vocals); Erik Larson, Ryan Lake (guitar); Bryan Cox (drums); Hormel Flansuego (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Ian Whalen.

In recent years the art of heavy metal singing has been reduced to one sustained guttural yowl, so when a metal singer like Kyle Thomas comes along with a more melodic but equally fierce take--think a Southern Bruce Dickinson--there should be cause for much rejoicing in the metal community. OPEN FIRE is Thomas's first record with Southern metal stalwarts Alabama Thunderpussy, and with chops like these--ripping open tunes like "The Beggar," "The Cleansing," and "Whiskey War"--one hopes it will not be a short-lived tenure. And, oh yeah, the band shreds. minimize