Alice Cooper is a name which in itself invokes flashbacks to a time where metal was at its peak. The iconic blackened stylings are truly a work of Satan himself and across a five decade career, with some of the most well known tracks in the rock world, Alice (or Vincent Damon Furnier) has more than proven that he is worthy of the title of a rock legend.

Paranormal may be the 26th studio release in Alice’s career but from the offset title track, we’re introduced to a classic sound that we’re all so familiar with. The streaking guitar licks, pounding bass and darkened vocal patterns hold a tone which is impossible to replicate and immediately sends you back into the heat of a metal uprising. Alice demonstrates a sound within this number that no modern artist could come close to matching. There is something special about golden age artist releases which feels so much more genuine, perhaps it’s the killer guitar breakdowns which transcend into colossal choruses that can only be done justice by a stadium screaming along in unison. A superb reintroduction and start to the record that is sure to get your tastebuds tingling.

It is always nice to see artists who clearly care more about the music than the money. Alice is surely sitting on a lump of cash from his heyday and could easily spend his days lounging, but to be pushing 70 and still touring the world with fellow glam rock icons Mötley Crue is truly something impressive. This level of passion easily transgresses into the new tracks at hand, ‘Paranoiac Personality’ is one such example where the simply enormous, stunning instrumental riffs and backing chants highlight Alice’s twisted vocals in a manner which injects a special energy into the track. This one already feels like a classic and clearly shows that even in 2017 there is still more than enough room for this sound to thrive.

Whilst new releases may be the most exciting part of a new album, for those who are still unconvinced by the new material, not to worry! Alice has simultaneously dedicated the second half of the album to beautifully recorded live versions of the classics ‘School’s Out’, ‘No More Mr Nice Guy’ and ‘Feed My Frankenstein’ to fulfil your nostalgia gauge to full once more. However, for those seeking analysis of the new, each one really does seem to contain more spark and flashiness than the last. ‘Dead Flied’, ‘Genuine American Girl’ and ‘Dynamite Road’ all emphasise a fast paced chaotic tone which demands the head banging to come forth. I can feel the mosh pits starting already.

This being said, the record’s slower numbers still demonstrate the other side to metal that we’ve all missed dearly. ‘The Sound Of A’ is one which feels even distantly reminiscent of Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’ but far more melancholy. The piercing guitar rips through the track stunningly and proves that powerhouse vocals are not needed in order for this track to leave an incredibly large mark in the album’s pacing and tones.

Sure, Paranormal isn’t going to be as big as the hits, but Alice Cooper clearly knows this and instead has provided long time fans with yet another solid instillation to the artist’s already legendary discography. There are far too many artists who fade over time or blow it all in their latter albums, but Alice suffers from no such travesty, his music is still going strong, and going hard. Paranormal is a great album and has certainly rekindled my love for glam and classical metal like no other artist could have done. If you were once a metal head with hair down to your waist, but found yourself cutting it short for the office job, now is the time to grow it back and wave it to the world!

Ben Walker

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