Slave to the System

Album Review

Ever wonder what it would sound like if members of Queensrÿche and Brother Cane got in a room together and let it rip? Well, that's how listeners got Slave to the System. Comprised of longtime Queensrÿche drummer Scott Rockenfield, ex-Queensrÿche guitarist Kelly Gray, and Brother Cane singer/guitarist Damon Johnson and bassist Roman Glick, the only wild card here is mystery guitarist/singer Scott Heard. And in a battle between both bands, Brother Cane wins here, as there's very little of Queensrÿche's prog metal to be heard. Instead, there are heaps of radio-friendly rock with a classic rock edge — think of a more straight-ahead Stone Temple Pilots (with shredding guitar solos) and you're not far off. And unlike Rockenfield's full-time band, which is known to take extended periods of time in the recording studio, the 2006 self-titled debut from Slave to the System was written and recorded in a mere three weeks. Included is the title track that features Johnson warning of "vicious barracudas" and a chorus that is slightly reminiscent of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star," as well as "Love This Life," which momentarily cools the rock fury. While it's certainly a detour from the "thinking man" sounds of Queensrÿche, there's not much here that you haven't heard before on mainstream rock radio.