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On Top: Top To Bottom

(Melodic) Hard Rock/Heavy Metal

4.0/5.0

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HPGD Productions
Words by Craig Hartranft,  21.05.2014

Returning to rip it up old school is Downingtown's own power trio On Top, with a new four song EP, Top To Bottom. It's been sometime from the studio, but lead vocalist and bass player Jaron Gulino has been busy with another upstart Philly area band, the mighty fine Mach22. He's back with drummer Danny Piselli (Fisthammer) and new guitarist Brian Davis.

On Top: of rocks.

In a short 18 minutes, give or take a second or two, On Top gets busy with four songs of classic heavy metal with hard rock groove. Much like the previous Top Heavy, it will likely remind you of the American side of the NWoBHM mixed with some Eighties hard rock without the spandex and hair spray. The power in this trio truly comes from the rhythm section. Gulino lays down some thick thumping bass lines, Piselli some heavy crashing drums. You can hear the groove created by the duo at the start as it kicks off both the album and the first song No Shame; the same at the start of Don't Go. You would think that bass line would then get buried under the riffs and drums, but no. In the latter half of Cold and Blue or Bad Love, while Davis is yanking on that guitar, the bass is clean and clear.

As for Davis' guitar work, it's dangerously sublime, or so it would seem, as he's rattling off riffs and cranking leads next to his partners with abandon. But the best expression might come within the second half of Bad Love, where Davis goes apeshit bonkers.

It all adds up to some serious heavy metal merriment, with this power trio staying heavy and thundering, yet melodic and rock groove catchy. Only problem, Top To Bottom is too short, but you already knew that. Otherwise, easily recommended.

On Top - No Shame

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On Top's Top To Bottom adds up to some serious heavy metal merriment with this power trio staying heavy and thundering, yet melodic and rock groove catchy.

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