Fozzy

Item: Happenstance
Author: Brian A. Smith

Happenstance

(2002)

Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Spotify

Label Megaforce RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

hair metal heavy metal

I can't decide if this band is supposed to be a mock metal joke with an imagined history, a la Spinal Tap, or if this is a serious effort by a band that existed under the radar known only to heavy metal fans who pride themselves on their knowledge of import albums.

Fozzy is billed in the liner notes as the "most influential heavy metal band of all time". Has anyone here heard of Black Sabbath? Or Led Zeppelin? The same notes claim that Fozzy existed over the last twenty years trapped in a ridiculous contract that allowed them only to release records in Japan. Happenstance is purported to be the second American release.

If this is a great, influential band, why does this album consist of eleven cover songs? It seems that someone at Megaforce is trying to pull the wool over our eyes -- this "band" is a figment of someone's imagination, a lame attempt at a second version of Spinal Tap. I don't know who the musicians are, as they all have nicknames like "Moongoose," "Duke," "KK LaFlame," or "The Kidd." One tipoff to the joke is that the credits list "the St. Hubbins Pentecostal Pale Young Boys' Choir" among the backup vocalists.

If you like 80's hair metal, or are a fan of groups like Judas Priest, The Scorpions, or Dio, this album may have some interest for you. I'm not sure what Fozzy is trying to accomplish -- if they are a serious metal band, it's time to record some new material. If it's a joke, it falls flat.

1.5 tocks