Where there is smoke, there is fire and Boston rockers, “Plank”, are setting the music scene on fire with their brand of hard rock music. Since the release of their 2004 CD, “Symmetry”, this band has delivered an album that is full of heavy songs that will set your musical taste buds on fire. For the past eight years, Plank band members Cameron Mackenzie (vocals), Donnie Vito (guitars), Dan Bongiorno (guitars), James Whitman (bass), and Ara Stepanian (drums) have churned out a sound that is heavy and hard-hitting while preserving the melodic nature of greats vocals. Currently, the band is working with legendary rock producer Beau Hill, who has produced records for bands like Ratt, Warrant, Winger, and Kix; on several new songs for their next CD.”
“Symmetry”, is chalk full of songs that include thundering guitars and straight forward, in your face lyrics that will have you banging your head so hard that you might break your neck. Opening the CD is the song, “Breathing”. Dan Bonigorno and Donnie Vito use crafty pitch harmonics, guitar tones, and solos to give this song a vibrant sound. Most noted is the bridge where the listener will hear a catchy but funky guitar riff that catches the listener entirely off guard. “Indelible”, is an excellent example of the band’s ability to write a catchy song that could be easily be heard on a major rock radio station. The combination of Mackenzie’s lyrical fortitude and Bonigorno and Vito’s hard driven guitars make this song a power house of aggression driven rock. Another song worthy track is, “The Bleed”. Bonigorno and Vito display their use of guitar tones and talents to create a song with musical depth that rivals the other songs on the album. Furthermore, Mackenzie adds even more emotional depth to the song with lyrics like, “You don’t know what it’s like to be ripped from the inside”, that truly make this song a heavy weight of a contender for top track on the album. Sadly,”The Bleed”, fails to beat the song, “Patchwork”. The song begins with a grungy bass line with a guitar wah riff that would crack a smile on the face any Alice In Chains fan. Mackenzie truly shines on this song by putting his lyrical craftsmanship to work with lyrics like, “Abused, forgotten, and used/Played the pawn in your game till there is nothing inside of me/Building and breathing and burning and ceasing and turning me inside out/And I think this is changing me”. In its entirety, “Patchwork”, is Plank’s crowning achievement in their arsenal hard rock showcase.
Although, “Symmetry”, packs a punch with heavy guitars and in your face lyrics, there are times when the songs tend to have little differentiation with similar structured song writing patterns (with a few exceptions like Indelible, Patchwork, Face Off, and The Bitter End), but with each song Plank is able to justify this with use of great guitar tones and interesting lyrical content. Furthermore, Plank also make up for this with their ability to catch the audience’s attention with their heavy sound and fiery attitude. Make no mistake, Plank is a fire that cannot be extinguished and audiences better be ready for one hell of band that will set their world on fire!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kyle I'm a self taught musician of nearly 20 years and I'm proud to say that music encompasses my life. I'm just a simple guy that loves music and who is constantly searching for new music to feed his musical vices!
