Sullvation is a solo project by bassist Brent Sullivan, who here also provides keyboards and guitar. He has been in the scene for a long time, co-founded legendary underground bands Slauter Xstroyes, Winter Kill, and Mindwarp Chamber and felt it was time to do something a little different so brough in long-time friend and former bandmate Chuck White (ex-Ion Vein and more) to provide drums and together they set the foundation. He then brought in a series of singers, Lothar Kellar (Sacred Dawn, Divinity Compromise), Steven Reimer (Slauter Xstroyes), Bill Swanson (Maiden Chicago/Iron Maiden Tribute), Taran DePablos (Fierce Atmospheres), Scott Huffman (Mindwarp Chamber, Syris, Spiritweb), Kevin Truell (Transgressor, Sceptor), Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest, ex-Iced Earth, KK’s Priest, The Three Tremors) and Ray Smith with the lead guitarists being Jeff Tredwell, Briant Danials, Paul Kratky, Eric Gosselin, Ken Mandat, Gary Bernal, David “Shred Demon” Shankle (ex-Manowar).
So it is a project as opposed to a band, and that is a real shame as at the heart of this is a powering outfit with a rhythm section out to take no prisoners. I only know which song Owens sang on, “Screaming In Silence”, and while that is the reason I decided to grab this album it is actually one of the poorer contributions to the album. I have no idea who sings on “We Become”, but there is the money shot with classic power metal and thrash with everyone giving their all. That line-up right there is the one which needs to hit the road as everything is right about this as they blast through like classic Anthrax mixed with Death Angel. This is a self-released independent album by a bassist, containing mostly musicians from bands I have never heard of, yet is a load of fun throughout. I can only hope this gets the recognition it deserves and that Brent pulls together a full band as there are some classic blasters on here as he moves through different metallic styles, yet always with a commercial nod and never too extreme while certainly never following a mainstream path. Obviously influenced by Rage, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Metal Church and Metallica, this is a very strong debut.
Rating: 8/10
