NOW!

Hailing from West New York and New Jersey is Pyramada with their debut disc, Now Is The Time. Brothers Paul (Bass) and Pete Pollio (Vocals/Guitar) started out as a garage band doing covers and later developed into a tribute band. These experiences likely account for the depth of Pyramada’s songs.

The larger canvas is classic melodic hard rock, yet with notes of heavy metal. Madman, People Talk or Mind Abuse easily fit this category. Then there’s also some modern nuances, perhaps a taste of post-grunge rock, with Walk Away, If I Should, and Wild Child. Yet that last song easily straddles the fence between both old and new school rock. And I think that’s what Pyramada is going for throughout this album.

It’s a good formula, and the band knows how to work it well. Two of the best tracks are Hear Me and the following SOL, where Pyramada effectively blends their influences into music that is both familiar and fresh, a rare skill. Even their hard rock interpretation of the classic Three Dog Night song, One, is surprisingly fresh, while getting the nuances of the vocal arrangement correct. Conversely, the song Believe is a disappointment if only for the strained background vocals in the chorus. As a final positive note, the production and mix is crisp and clear, allowing, for example, Paul Pollio’s fine bass work to shine throughout.

For a debut album, Pyramada’s Now Is The Time is a strong and entertaining effort from a very talented band. Recommended.

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