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Mad Max: Interceptor

Melodic Hard Rock/Metal

4.0/5.0

Website
SPV/Steamhammer Records
by Craig Hartranft
10.17.2013

The police cruiser that Mel Gibson's Mad Max drove in those movies was called an 'Interceptor.' But it didn't look anything like the wreck on the latest Mad Max album of the same name. Interceptor is the eleventh album in this band's 30 plus year history, and with same members from the start.

Mad Max: trying to steal your beer.

After a spin, I wanted to call this album a bit sketchy, lacking direction. After another whirl, I'd rather call it a bit edgier than their previous album, thanks to some beefed up guitar work. Godzilla (inspired by mammoth skyscrapers in Tokyo wrecked by the legendary monster), Sons of Anarchy (not inspired by the FX television show), and Bring On The Night have a raw zest in the riffage. They definitely beef up Show No Mercy, a bonus track from 1987's Night Of Passion, making it truly blistering metal. Alternatively, the opening cut Save Me moves mostly by it's rock groove and melodic vocal line, but then, about half way, we start getting these contrasting sharp eruptions of lead guitar.

The edge comes off a bit within Rock All Your Life for a more AOR feel. As also it does with Five Minute Warning, a song about environmental destruction penned with American country songwriter Van Preston, where Mad Max reveals a metal anthem. Another turn to Japan comes with Streets Of Tokyo, penned by Herman Rarebell about his experience when touring there, which also delivers a more toned down melodic hard rock. It could have been a Scorpions song in another the life. For fun, the band throws in a cover of The Sweet's Turn It Down, since they've done covers of Fox On The Run in the live sets. Overall, Interceptor is pretty darn good, finding the long-serving hard rockers aging gracefully. Recommended.

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Mad Max's Interceptor is pretty darn good, finding the long-serving hard rockers aging gracefully.

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