Tremonti - Cauterize
- FaceOff - עימות חזיתי
- Jun 8
- 4 min read
On June 9, 2015, "Cauterize", Tremonti's second solo album, was released.
If in the album "All I Was" review we told you how Mark Tremonti hatched from the egg to embark on his own independent path, but the "chick" that hatched from the egg turned out to be a "dinosaur", then this dinosaur grew and on this album became a formidable T-Rex that threatens the whole "Jurassic world" ".
If you thought that on the debut album "All I Was" Tremonti released all his aggressions with materials that did not fit the musical line of "Alter Bridge" and "Creed", then in this album, he takes it one step further and unleash atomic energy that burns all things in its path. Tremonti simply unleashes all restraint here and fire his soul into the album.
Make no mistake, anyone who listens to this album will hear the influences from the world of thrash metal on Mark Tremonti and especially of "Metallica" and "Testament", on which he grew up on. But not only that, we were able to notice also the influences of "Pantera" and even of "Gojira", the youngest in the bunch. Do not believe? Listen to Tremonti's guitar starting at 1:00 in the opening song "Radical Change".
But that's not all. In this album, Tremonti begins to formulate his immortal formula, the private DNA of his own compositions. Tremonti's unique formula blends modern thrash metal with melody. If you listen to his songs, especially from this album on, you will surely be able to identify a number of salient elements that characterize most of them. They will usually start with cruel "Speed" riffs and even thrash metal ones, Tremonti will pour his unique melody over them and then paint them with complex rhythms and a lot of dynamics, moving from very fast sections to "mid-pace" rhythms and back again. He will take the listener into the eye of the storm, later pull him out of there to a calmer area, and then, without any prior warning, he will throw the listener back into the raging tropical storm and leave him there exposed, without protection, without a lifeline.
In order to carry out his plot, Mark Tremonti gathers around him a tough and threatening gang no less than "The Chainsaw from Texas" (he is not really from Texas), in his own right. This album forms the backbone of the band that will accompany Mark Tremonti on future albums, including Eric Friedman on bass and guitar and Garrett Whitlock on drums, both from "Submersed" which disbanded in 2008. And this time Wolfgang Van Halen is joining the band as a permanent member as a replacement for bassist Brian Marshall.
This album is the first of two albums recorded together in the same sessions. Tremonti recorded enough material for two albums in these sessions. He did not want to release a double album, so he chose to release two albums balanced in dynamics, number of songs and structure, with the album "Dust" being released a year later, in 2016.
You can feel Tremonti's influences right from the opening track "Radical Change". The fast, thrashy groove sounds like a riff Metallica might have left behind on the editing floor of one of their albums. Tremonti never hid how much that band shaped him – he used to play their riffs for hours just to strengthen his technique.
"Flying Monkeys" takes a different path – heavy, sluggish, and darker compared to the opener. When Tremonti sings “I’m inclined to take my time, I’ll take this to the grave…”, it’s clear he’s leaning into Doom influences here.
"Cauterize" kicks us back into aggressive, speedy thrash. But when the slow, catchy chorus hits – it all makes sense. Tremonti’s formula just works. As the track winds down, Tremonti’s guitar and Wolfgang’s bass create a peaceful atmosphere, like the album cover itself – as if Mark Tremonti’s troubles have sunk with the setting sun.
"Arm Yourself" brings back the full-throttle thrash assault with frantic guitar and machine-gun drum hits. So listen to Tremonti – “Arm yourself, ‘cause today it ends…”
"Dark Trip" shifts us into a more melodic, melancholic mood that matches its lyrics beautifully. Rich with harmonies, it echoes the "Creed" days, blended with some bluesy flavors in the solos.
"Another Heart" was the album’s first single – and it’s easy to see why. It showcases all of Tremonti’s strengths: metal riffs, great melody, a catchy chorus, and a killer solo. It’s the perfect gateway track to introduce him to a wider audience.
"Fall Again" brings us back to Tremonti’s softer side. That clear voice, the range, the precision – it’s hard to believe he hid behind the guitar for years, content with backing vocals alone.
"Tie the Noose" hits like a punch to the face. Bold and fierce, it was written in response to the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, after the police shooting of Michael Brown. A political cry wrapped in distortion.
"Sympathy" shows what makes Tremonti unique in the metal landscape. While many metal acts pour out anger and protest, Tremonti often injects messages of hope into his lyrics. A gentle kind of power.
"Providence" closes the album with one of its most emotional moments. It proves, yet again, that Tremonti's music can be ferocious and biting, but also accessible, melodic, and meaningful – even for those who need a positive message to hold on to.
Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music
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