Released by: Metal Blade Records

Release Date: Out Now!!!

Genre: Metal

Links: https://www.facebook.com/charredwallsofthedamned/

Line Up:

Richard Christy – Drums
Jason Suecof – Guitar, Producer
Tim “Ripper” Owens – Vocals
Steve Digiorgio – Bass

Tracklist:
1. My Eyes
2. The Soulless
3. Afterlife
4. As I Catch My Breath
5. Lies
6. Reach Into the Light
7. Tear Me Down
8. Living In the Shadow of Yesterday
9. Time Has Passed

Charred Walls of the Damned are one of those “supergroup” projects that I don’t think about very often, but when I do I am reminded of two things: they’ve created some incredible music and this is where I think Ripper Owens truly shines. He’s always been one of those guys that seemingly can’t catch a break (so to speak) even though he came into our consciousness by catching a break when he joined Judas Priest. He’s moved from several projects, all of which have benefited from his amazing abilities, but for one reason or another, it doesn’t seem to stick. I’ve never met him but every interview I have seen or read with him he’s just like me, a diehard fan of all things metal, and just happy to be even a small part of it. Of course, another thing that has drawn me to CWotD has been the Death alumnus with mastermind Richard Christy on drums and Steve DiGorgio on bass. Add on super producer Jason Suecof on guitar and there’s just a chemistry here that just works.

Releasing their first album in 5 years, Creatures Walking Over the Dead, you would never guess that it’s been that long and that they haven’t done a whole lot together during that time to hear the blistering metal badassery contained on this CD. It’s got this heaviness to it that is brutal, but at the same time, it isn’t so heavy that it is devoid of melody. All of these guys are capable of writing music that is heavy as hell but also can be catchy. When you add those massive pipes of Owens on top of such metal masterpieces as “As I Catch My Breath,” “The Soulless,” “Reach Into the Light,” and “Living In the Shadow of Yesterday” you get to hear such accomplished musicians do what they do best.

Charred Walls of the Damned’s Creatures Walking Over the Dead (hey look, band and album can be the same acronym) is another set of outstanding heavy metal. I can’t imagine how incredible they would be if this were their true musical focus. Perhaps that’s what makes this band so great, the time apart, the work on other projects; perhaps that’s what keeps this fresh and interesting for them. Whatever it is they’re doing, if it results in kick ass music like this, keep doing it!

Reviewer: Chris Martin