Album Review: "Critical Hits" by Gygax

Critical Hits

Are you aware that I am  not cool?

Your friend and humble narrator has always been a nerd. Gifted, creative, and painfully awkward, even today.

To this day, I still while away the nights with online role playing games, Dungeons & Dragons on my Japanese Series II (white) Sega Saturn, Lord of the Rings/Hobbit on blu-ray.

There's always a book on my nightstand next to my phone. I can tell you far more about Star Trek (through Deep Space 9) than most people will ever want to hear.

My nerd level is pretty epic. Hell, I still dress about the same as I did in high school, jeans, black t-shirt, and sneakers. (I did switch to Chucks not long after high school.) Being a nerd is pretty awesome if you ask me. Like Hwill Hweaton said, it's about loving something so much, you just can't help it. Well, I love a lot of things....

Gygax

Nerd music is nothing new. I have many nerdcore albums in my library, but metal is pretty lacking in those who'll wear their nerd pride on their sleeves.

Enter Gygax.

With a name like this, it's obvious what we're about to get. Heavy Metal used to be lambasted for being too silly. Thanks Dio.

I remember hearing hundreds of grunge rockers saying, I couldn't relate to the dungeons and dragons of heavy metal growing up.

Clearly, Gygax is willing to revel in this oft repeated statement and that's awesome. Metal is about many things, but there's one thing all metal has in common...kick ass guitar solos.

Beyond the thumping rhythm section, gritty and strained vocals, classic 70's guitar tone, and the solos, this band takes the listener on a quest through a war torn land.

Get your tank, healer, magic user, and warriors and spin this. Besides appealing to a sorely under represented nerd music demographic, this album is seriously awesome. It has a Kiss meets Thin Lizzy guitar vibe. Harmonies, big guitar theory, and hooks galore.

The name will probably turn some folks off for now, but open your mind (and your Monster Manual) and dig in.

Release: 1/22/16
Genre: Metal
Label: Creator-Destructor Records
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