Altitudes and Attitude review

Often times when band members from notable bands unite for a side project, the band will sound very similar and almost identical to the members’ main bands. When David Ellefson of Megadeth and Frankie Bello of Anthrax united to form Altitudes & Attitude, most fans thought they were in for a thrash metal Big Four soundalike. After listening to the three-song EP, the final verdict couldn’t be further from the speculation. With Bello on lead vocals, guitar and 8-string bass, Ellefson on rhythm guitar as well as 4,5 and 8-string bass and A Perfect Circle’s Jeff Friedl on drums, Altitudes & Attitude sounds more like something out of the 70’s metal catalog. The opener, “Booze and Cigarettes,” is the lone track to resemble the thrash elements that the two legendary bassists are so privy to. Although, it doesn’t sound too much like their “day jobs,” it does have the vague resemblance. Applause, props and respect must be given to Bello for coming out of his comfort zone to take the frontman spot, a role he admits to not being all-too-comfortable with. He joins the club of Brian “Head” Welch, who also took an uncomfortable role as frontman and Bello, much like Welch, will blow fans away with how natural he sounds as lead vocalist. It’s hard to believe Bello has never had the responsibility of main singer before. Ellefson is good and primed as ever as bassist/guitarist of the band and Friedl is spot-on at the drum kit. Altitudes & Attitude should receive all the credit in the world for doing something new and unexpected with their self-titled EP debut and we can only hope for more in the near future from the band. Rating: 9/10 -Reggie Edwards