Review by MartinDavey87 for Fozzy - Happenstance (2002)

With their debut album, Fozzy may have reclaimed their throne as the true pioneers of heavy metal, but sadly there are still many songs out in the open being used by other bands, and so Fozzy return once more to take back what was stolen from them by the likes of Judas Priest, Scorpions and Twisted Sister.

But seriously…

Fozzy are back with their second album, once again a combination of covers and originals, all under the fictional backstory that these are Fozzy compositions stolen from them whilst they were trapped in Japan due to contractual obligations. But while the first album may have been treading the waters to see if the group can get away with such a gimmick, with ‘Happenstance’ the band dive right in at the deep end.

Everything about this album is a step up from ‘Fozzy’. The band sound amazingly tight, and Chris Jericho really comes into his own as a vocalist, and will surely impress anyone who doubted a pro wrestler would be able to sing. However, the true highlights of this album are the four Fozzy originals. I’m not exaggerating here, but…

THESE ARE FOUR OF THE GREATEST METAL SONGS EVER!!!

Nobody would expect it from a band called ‘Fozzy’, but the four originals ‘To Kill a Stranger’, ‘Happenstance’, ‘Crucify Yourself’ and ‘With the Fire’ are all beyond words. Seriously awesome metal tunes, and this isn’t a case of "awesome because it’s so cheesy" or anything like that. This is straight up, ass-kickin’ metal. Rich Ward’s riffs blow away anything he ever did in Stuck Mojo (and I love Stuck Mojo), and Chris Jericho takes his place alongside the likes of Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford and Ozzy Osbourne. These songs should be heard by everyone.

The covers, as before on their previous album, may not have been my ideal choice of songs to do, but the band step up none-the-less and make such awesome renditions that it’s easy to forget these songs are covers to begin with. I know fans of W.A.S.P and Iron Maiden etc, will find this blasphemous, but yes, I think all these covers improve upon the original versions. But sadly, it's the covers that knock this album down from five stars to four (and that's only because I don't do 'half ratings').

Overall, I cannot stress enough how amazing the originals are. If you’re put off by this bands comedy antics, the fact their name is ‘Fozzy’ or their singer is the first ever WWE Undisputed Champion, don’t be. Get this album, and spread the Fozzpel.