Pist*on is a band that I happened across one day. I noticed two CDs by PIst*on and thought: two bands? Not exactly. It turns out that this is their first CD; they released it on Fierce Records and then re-released it when they were picked up by Mayhem/Atlantic records. I have been listening to both and the only difference I can see is the album artwork (I like the re-release artwork) in which the band is in a bathroom. With Pist*on calling their CD Number One we get a clue to their style--or at least their sense of humor.

From the start Pist*on is not exactly what I expected, although their album photos say you should judge a book by its cover. They play heavy metal from song one to song twelve and have strong riffs throughout. Although their songs don't lighten up until the end they did surprise me in how melodic the vocals are. I'd say this melodic touch adds the right stuff to make these songs work. The pace doesn't vary a whole heck of a lot from song to song, and that can be taken as a plus or minus depending on what you want. But I thought it was a nice change to have a heavy metal CD that I could consider easy listening. As for myself, the band falls into my al'dente list: not too hard, not to soft.

As for the overall CD, I liked it when I first listened to it, and after playing it quite a bit, I still listen to the whole disk (it has achieved regular in rotation on my car stereo). So they do grow on you and are a nice change of pace from the harder faster crowd of metal .

As with many bands these days they are making use of the web and their official page is at www.pistonline.com or you can check them out at the Atlantic records website.

Original location: http://info.queensu.ca/cfrc/zine/reviews/seocrv97.htm#Piston