GlamMetal Review by Gus Griesinger

Joe Granata
A Long Road to Hell

Bringing metal out to the forefront of the Rhode Island music scene is Joe Granata. His self-financed debut CD 'A Long Road to Hell' was released earlier this year on Castlerock Associates and has made its way to the staff here at GlamMetal.

Not only is Joe a very talented musician who wrote all the songs, but he also co-produced and played all the bass and guitar parts as well. Aaron Martin of Hypersolid provides the skin bashing for Joe's debut CD. The precise and well driven 'Glorified' is the first track and showcases Joe's amazing talent on the guitar. 'Death Machine Ride' gets the blood pumping and is a total balls out and mosh pit type of song.

Joe's main forte is the guitar but the bass and vocals do not lack as much as I would have thought when giving this a listen. Even though Joe may still be coming into his own vocally, the guitar work here is where his bread and butter is at! His influences cite Kirk Hammett, Zakk Wylde, and the late great Dimebag Darrell. You can definitely tell as these artists are very much heard all over the 6-track CD.

Joe takes a slower tempo for 'Back to Life' and even though this track is not as heavy as the others, this may be the best song on the CD! I have to admit that for a debut CD that was self-financed, the packaging looks fantastic! He is even on the ballot for the 2008 Grammy Awards under 4 different categories. I think somewhere down the line you will be hearing a lot more of the multi-talented Joe Granata!

Track Listing:
Glorified
Dying Invain
Death Machine Ride
Back to Life
As the River Flows
Supersonic Shred

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