(Roadrunner)
Rock and Roll is dead - didn't Lenny Kravitz just tell us that? Lately it seems that rock's demise has been greatly exaggerated. Some of the monster rock bands such as Guns N'Roses, Aerosmith, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, are springing into action. Another good sign is that new bands are on the way. Floodgate (out of New Orleans, formerly known as Penalty) is a new band looking to grab the metal ring.
From the first track on their debut album Penalty, you know what kind of music this band is all about. No trying to touch all the bases and appeal to everyone; no, this is a rock band. Go through the album and you hear influences of their idol, Black Sabbath. Musically, they might be Sabbath's and Kiss's children, but the lead singer surely sounds like Metallica's Hetfield. And, hey, what's wrong with that? Hetfield can really nail a hard rock song. So can Floodgate's Kyle Thomas.
Thomas has put together a band with brother Kevin on bass, Steven Fisher on guitar, and Neil Montgomery on drums. Thomas himself is lead vocalist, guitarist and chief songwriter. As a classically trained singer, Thomas is one whose lyrics can be heard and understood. That's as it should be because the man has a lot to say. On "Till My Soil" he blasts society's vices and exhorts listeners to use their minds. "Running With Sodden Legs" gives the sense of being trapped in a nightmare.
Thomas says Floodgate is on its way now to its longterm goal of being an arena rock band. Floodgate has a strong frontman in Kyle Thomas with talent and drive to push his band there. Right now they are just getting started - but if you are a fan of hard rock, and appreciate a Black Sabbath influence in a band, Penalty might be perfect for you.
