I've only heard Sparzanza on a radio before I got this album. The music on this one is actually exactly what I expected it to be before I even had heard a single note out off it. Nothing more, nothing less, just radio-friendly rock.

'Circle' sounds pretty much similar to their countrymates Mustasch's stuff. Stoner metal riffing, that has been heard before. It's not particularly catchy either. That bit is handled by choruses and some infectious guitar melodies. The riffs are quite heavy and groovy at times, granted, but can also be tight. Some piano has added here and there for darker vibes (and a sugary ballad). Anyway, this thing can rattle, and it sounds like it was broken, or rather running out of fuel. This is already a third album since 2010, and seventh in all. The band have accelerated their release pace during this decade. This sounds exactly like those songs I've heard during last 5 or so years playing on the radio.

The vocals remind me of Stone Sour. I cannot remember any of the vocal melodies, really. Add some more throaty thrust to the voice here (no, not that much as on Crash Test Dummies!) and you're close. Sparzanza's music is still more ballsy than Stone Sour's, though. The production is very good, without any surprise. It's overly clean, but yeah, it is rather loud.

So, if you're looking for rather inane rocking metal, 'Circle' does its best to work as background music. It simply isn't able to hold water any better, but during a few songs. Best songs are 'Pine Barrens', 'Black' and heaviest one 'Death Don't Spare no Lives'. Too safe, like sex often these days!

Rating: 5 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/05/2015 14:08