SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM is best known for its ties to the legendary QUEENSRYCHE. Amongst the band’s ranks are current ‘RYCHE drummer Scott Rockenfield and former ‘RYCHE guitar man Kelly Gray. But it’s SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM’s other two members, Damon Johnson and Roman Glick, both of Alternative Rock band BROTHER CANE, which will give you the best idea of the band’s sound.

SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM’s debut, self-titled album is modern Alternative Rock, with very few, if any, forays into Metal territory. The only QUEENSRYCHE-like sounds I can pull out of this would be comparisons to the much-maligned “Tribe”. Instead, we are treated to a sound that is similar to BROTHER CANE, with influences from later day SOUNDGARDEN. I also hear strong similarities to the underrated ’90s Alternative Rockers, BIG WRECK.

Some of the songs here (“Stigmata”, “Disinfected” and “Ragdoll”) have a very strong, driving quality to them, that borderline on Alternative Metal. Some of the other songs (“Live This Life” and “Will You Be There”) are softer and not as interesting. Overall, though, the songs are well written and will appeal to most Alternative Rock fans.

If I didn’t know any better, I would think that the debut album of SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM was a long lost gem of Seattle’s Grunge-y glory days. Anyone that misses this period of music history and longs for a return to that time, will feel right at home here. (Online April 16, 2006)