Review Summary: Raise Hell, Praise Dale
Some of the most intriguing bands are the ones that can be summed up in a single sentence. Case in point, I Am The Intimidator is a one-man speed metal project whose lyrics are themed around Dale Earnhardt. The music feels like a meeting point between Judas Priest and Van Halen rounded out by grit reminiscent of Raven and Metal Church. Even as somebody whose interest in racing is limited to grumbling about how crowded it gets living in Speedway every May, I can’t pass up that premise.
Bandleader Andrew Stromstad’s musicianship certainly rises to the occasion. The guitar playing draws much of the attention, boasting an in your face tone bolstered by the bold bass and driving drums with plenty of thick chugs and exuberant leads. The vocals could stand to be a bit more prominent in the mix but the mid-range holler has an off-the-cuff delivery that feels unique and appropriate for the determined bravado.
Fitting for the subject at hand, six songs coming at you across a half hour duration manages to be a compact race that feels substantial enough for the style. While the Dale samples on the opening “No Regrets” could make one wonder if the album will be structured that way, “Gasoline” follows it up with thematically speedy riffs and impactful drumming. There’s also room for plenty of dynamics between the more bottom-heavy “Eat My Smoke,” the title track’s ebb and flow, and the more mid-tempo epic metal glory of “I Am Here… Now” (won’t even front, that title goes hard) and “Crying From The Abyss.”
Overall, I Am The Intimidator is an endearing listen whose unique gimmick works thanks to an enthusiastic presentation. While I find myself wishing the hooks were as upfront as the attitude, the potent musicianship and snappy runtime are perfectly suited to this sort of melodic speed metal. It’s the sort of project whose theming makes any further elaboration seem unnecessary yet there’s enough to work with that future efforts could end up even stronger.
Raise Hell, Praise Dale
