Damageplan
'New Found Power'
On Elektra Entertainment
Grade: B+Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul are at it again. This time, they are the masterminds behind Damageplan, a new hard-hitting metal band whose aim is to grab you by the balls and smash you over the head with their crushing sound. Dimebag and Vinnie-formerly the guitarist and drumme,r respectively, of legendary Texas metal band Pantera-started writing material for their new band after the diffusion of Pantera at the hands of then-lead singer Philip Anselmo.

The album, New Found Power, was fashioned after the band's strong belief in their own abilities, using the phrase as a rallying cry to pick up after the breakup of their old band and to rock harder than ever. After stumbling upon friend and now-lead vocalist Patrick Lachman and skilled tattoo artist turned bass player Bob Waikiki-nicknamed "Bob Zilla"-the band was ready to release their newest creation.

Drawing on various influences, Damageplan definitely created an album diverse in scope and yet still possessing the passion, rage and aggressiveness of Pantera and other popular metal mainstays. This comparison is apparently the last thing Damageplan wants, as their sound is a distinct digression from the narrower musical scope that dominated the former band. Still, the digression that the band itself is proud of is not as noticeable as they claim. Damageplan is of similar kilt to Pantera and really not that different from other bands of the genre. The melody that supposedly exists is limited, and the varied musical textures still contain the same hard-rock and metal backing. The songs blend together, and it is difficult to see where a true diversion from the norm exists. Still, the music is bound to gain popularity because it is good for what it intends: to rock you hard and take no prisoners.

The first track, entitled "Wake Up," reflects the lyrical theme of the album well, as its simple-minded and to-the-point lyrics make their mark immediately. "Do you think you're better than me/ You better wake up cause you know it's a lie." The song lacks any sort of melody, focusing on an emotional sound featuring growling vocals and heavy drums that pound in your ears. Track three, the title track, is the band's rallying cry, making direct references to Vinnie and Dimebag's struggles after the breakup of Pantera. It is a sort of anthem to the band as the lyrics proclaim their unwillingness to give up: "Cleansing yourself of the past/learn from mistakes and move on/conquering new ground at last/unite and become twice as strong."

A shredding but brief guitar solo begins 2:36 into the song and ends seconds later. Still, the skill required to make those sounds is a staple of Dimebag and will not be left behind despite the new band members. The eighth track on the album is "Save Me," which is the band's first single. The reason for this choice is clear as this track is one of the most melodic and likely to be accepted by mainstream culture. This song is also the clearest indication of front-man Lachman's vocal range, which is surprisingly good for a former guitarist turned lead singer.

This album should definitely gain popularity in the inner circles of metal across the country. Hardcore Pantera fans and other metal-heads will not be disappointed and will give the band a stron- enough following to be successful. The wild card will be if the increasingly diverse sound will attract those fans that are into less aggressive outfits that feature a more melodic musical core.

For those of you who are looking to rock hard and not come out of the experience with a headache, Damageplan is a good choice. The album is by no means a masterpiece, but rather is a solid contribution to the musical landscape by well-respected and established musicians.