TITANIC (feat. Robert Sweet of Stryper) – Full Steam Ahead [2007-2024]

Formed in the ’90s, TITANIC was the first band of guitarist / songwriter Bill Menchen. The group released two strong albums mixing metal melody with hard rock groove. While Menchen after resulted involved into other bands, returned in 2007 with a new album titled “Full Steam Ahead”.

Long time out of print, recently Retroactive Records reissued “Full Steam Ahead” including bonus tracks featuring Robert Sweet of Stryper on drums.
Driven by classic riffs Titanic delivers an electrifying fusion of metal and hard rock on this album. “Full Steam Ahead” boasts a lineup of heavy-duty hard rockers like “Dead Men’s Bones” and “Holy Ground,” alongside infectious hooks on tracks such as “Shovel The Coal” and “Captain Of The Ship.”
Menchen’s masterful guitar work complemented by drummer David White’s precision, forms the backbone of the album’s powerhouse sound. But the excitement doesn’t end there. This reissue features two re-recorded tracks from “Maiden Voyage,” showcasing original vocalist Simon Tyler and the legendary Robert Sweet from Stryper on drums.
The first of these bonuses is “Nightmare”, one of the best tracks on the album. Kicks off with aggressive intensity with a great riff, intense vocals and Sweet’s recognizable percussion. The other, “Come Home”, shines with it’s unforgettable melody, now enhanced with a clean guitar part in its heavy catchy chorus.

“Come Home,” originally titled “Hollywood Blvd” and a fan favorite from previous Titanic LP “Maiden Voyage,” receives a fresh twist in this reissue. And let’s not forget the influence of Robert Sweet from Stryper, whose powerhouse drumming adds an extra layer of dynamism to these reimagined tracks. His collaboration with Titanic underscores the album’s significance.

Slashing guitar licks and high quality vocals is just a few great points this band possesses. The opening track “Shovel the Coal” is an instant blockbuster that will get the blood pumping, a metal anthem-style crowd pleaser that gets the voyage started. “Dead Men’s Bones” keep the adrenaline flowing with David St. Andrew’s vocals having hints of Kevin DuBrow.
Introduced to several seconds of open air rhythm guitar, “Deep Down” slowly grinds ahead until picking up in pace for an expeditious chorus in which a smooth sounding environment is put into place. I find the constant changes in momentum – from midtempo to faster paced – to help give this track its appeal.

“Captain Of The Ship” immediately opens to a driving guitar riff before tapering off to a quietly played guitar line for its first verse. Flowing ahead in a tranquil manner, the song kicks into high gear as the rhythm guitar returns and urges things to an anthemic chorus that comes across gripping in its capacity.
I might describe “Holy Ground” as one of the albums more laid back compositions. A plethora of driving impetus carries this one through its verse portions, the balanced setting upheld for a grave chorus in which a choppy rhythm guitar plays a prominent role. Several seconds of bluesy lead work complements the songs momentous feel.

“Sons Of Thunder” begins to a monstrous wall of rhythm guitar, decelerating upon obtaining its first verse only to pick back up in pace as a chorus of a straightforward but spirited variety is obtained. The tight sounding riffage shoring this one up gives rise to a near mesmerizing feel.
“Upon The Cross” is an emotional piece. The hammering guitar riff initiating the song holds sway over its verse portions hard and heavy, a prodigious bass line taking over as it obtains a groove flavored chorus. Menchen’s punchy work on bass helps this song to stand out in the crowd.

“Wisdom” proves quite the rollicking number that grooves from start to finish, the up-tempo environment upheld as the band again puts forth quite the animated performance. The highlighting touch of piano underscoring the track over its final seconds is nothing less than perfectly placed.
Titanic saves perhaps its best for last in the apocalyptic hard rocker “The Sea”. The song begins slowly only to gradually build to a crescendo of biting riffs, an abundance of impassioned initiative taking over as the way is paved for an awe inspiring chorus guaranteed to draw you in with its infectious appeal.

As for the album’s production values? Well, the rhythm guitar delivers a mega-huge crunch, and the leads are cleanly mixed. The drums project a more than ample amount of punch and power, while St. Andrew’s voice is clear and powerful.
With a punchy production “Full Steam Ahead” will please fans of Ozzy, Judas Priest, Black Label Society, as well as enthusiasts of Menchen’s other projects like Final Axe, and of course of interest for Stryper collectors.
If you’re looking to get a CD to add to your collection in the mold of melodic metal that has the crunch of good hard rock, Titanic’s “Full Steam Ahead” does the trick.
Highly Recommended

01 – Shovel The Coal
02 – Dead Mens Bones
03 – Deep Down
04 – Captain Of The Ship
05 – Holy Ground
06 – Sons Of Thunder
07 – Upon The Cross
08 – The Wind
09 – Wisdom
10 – The Sea
Bonus Tracks:
11 – Nightmare (Feat. Robert Sweet Of Stryper)
12 – Come Home (Feat. Robert Sweet Of Stryper)

Vocals – David St. Andrew
Guitar, Bass – Bill Menchen
Drums – David White
Drums – Robert Sweet

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