Power of Inner Strength

Led by ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, Grip Inc. released this debut on the Metal Blade label in 1995. Joining Lombardo on this progressive thrash opus are Gus Chambers (vocals), Waldemar Sorychta (guitars, keyboards), and Jason Viebrooks (bass). More than just a guitar player, Sorychta performs double duty on Power of Inner Strength as the record's producer. Fans of Lombardo's work with Slayer will enjoy the drummer's double bass work and overall aggression throughout the disc. Standout drum tracks "Cleanse the Seed" and "Toque de Muerto" deserve special mention for their rhythmic power and originality. Extended bridges featuring Lombardo's drumming afford Chambers the luxury of picking his vocal spots, and the singer deftly uses his allotted space to maintain the record's intensity. Viebrooks and Sorychta also do their part and stay inside Lombardo's massive groove. The three chase each other through progressive metal shifts and turns, displaying a musical commitment rare among their '90s metal brethren. Listeners fond of music that is both technically demanding and extremely heavy should bask in the considerable heat generated by Power of Inner Strength's prog metal fire.