Red Fang – Arrows (Relapse Records) [Paul Hutchings]
The first album in five years from the Portland quartet sees the band continue their relaxed, sludgy stoner approach. The eerie, space rock feel of opener Take It Back segues into Unreal Estate, the onslaught of downtuned fuzzed up riffs, the combination of vocalists Bryan Giles and Aaron Beam once again mixing clean with gruff to max effect. With producer Chris Funk back at the helm having been absent form 2016’s Only Ghosts, there is a spring in the step. It’s more the dragging of a huge, clubbed foot, such is the gargantuan sound that this band can summon up. The title track maintains the riff fest, and indeed, that continues for the entire 43 minutes. Red Fang’s style hasn’t changed much since their debut single, the fabulous Prehistoric Dog which emerged way back in 2009, but that doesn’t mean that this is a dull album.
Far from it. The vibrancy of My Disaster is supported by a driving tempo which gets the head nodding and the feet tapping, the distorted guitar tone only adding to the overall flow and feel. There’s a slight change in feel to Anodyne, but the aggressive, punk and funk gives a groove which is addictive and a hook that you won’t be able to remove for days. Arrows is punctuated by short, sub-two-minute tracks that nestle between the longer songs. Interop-Mod is all interference and feedback, jarring the listener out of any comfortable position they may have adopted; Rabbits In Hives is an exercise in raging explosive power, a short sharp blast at 1:36.
The three final tracks are all pacy ragers with Dr Owl summoning up all kinds of crazy images amidst the thunderous bass lines, the rumbling drumming and the searing guitar work. Solid without being spectacular, Red Fang continue to deliver strong stoner rock that oozes class and quality. And if nothing else captures your imagination, at the very least check out the video to Arrows, directed by Whitey McConnaughy, which is brilliant. 7/10
Hwdu - Love Crime EP (Savage State Music)
Four space punks from Swansea came together for what they call Tŵp Rock. Essentially Tŵp Rock is stoner punk, driving riffs, shouty vocals and a general ruggedness to their rock n roll. Made up Matt Williams (guitar and voice), Jonny Randell (guitar and vocals), Owen Foote (drums, piano, vocals & words) and Gavin Smith (bass) are the four men making this racket, this Love Crime EP opens with the raging Space Punk the trio voices in unison for this jerky Hawkwind-like opener that gets the blood pumping, though Jessie reminds me more of Springsteen or The Gaslight Anthem as a bit of blue collar ballad. They bring fuzzy guitars back on the title track which has touch of Supersuckers and Black Spiders to it as well. The six tracks on this EP all segue well into one another keeping the pace lively, with members of other Welsh stoner/punk/rock bands (Suns Of Thunder, Sigiriya & Estuary Black) there's a lot experience on offer here that translates into a wild ride. It's time for Hwdu to get out there and that voodoo that they do so well. 8/10
The Sheepdogs - No Simple Thing EP (Warner Music Canada)
Ah The Sheepdogs, these Canadian rockers are a prolific recording and live band. Across their 17 year existence they have rarely stopped so when the pandemic hit, they took a break and didn't hit the studio until all of them could as they wanted that natural authenticity that comes from a band all vibing off each other. The No Simple Thing EP is 6 songs that will remind you just how good The Sheepdogs are if you have forgotten about them since their 2018 album Changing Colors. Though I don't know why you would have as they play the style of twin-lead Southern rock that was made famous by The Allman Brothers. You get immediately shown what they do with the hip shaking the punchy Rock N Roll (Ain't No Simple Thing) and bouncy Keep On Loving You brings some great boogie keys. There's a warmth to all of The Sheepdogs music and unlike the arena/mainstream aspirations of Blackberry Smoke, The Sheepdogs have maintained their underground-feel which makes them to me more entertaining. Sun-dried songs that give you a fuzzy feeling throughout. 7/10
Ah The Sheepdogs, these Canadian rockers are a prolific recording and live band. Across their 17 year existence they have rarely stopped so when the pandemic hit, they took a break and didn't hit the studio until all of them could as they wanted that natural authenticity that comes from a band all vibing off each other. The No Simple Thing EP is 6 songs that will remind you just how good The Sheepdogs are if you have forgotten about them since their 2018 album Changing Colors. Though I don't know why you would have as they play the style of twin-lead Southern rock that was made famous by The Allman Brothers. You get immediately shown what they do with the hip shaking the punchy Rock N Roll (Ain't No Simple Thing) and bouncy Keep On Loving You brings some great boogie keys. There's a warmth to all of The Sheepdogs music and unlike the arena/mainstream aspirations of Blackberry Smoke, The Sheepdogs have maintained their underground-feel which makes them to me more entertaining. Sun-dried songs that give you a fuzzy feeling throughout. 7/10
Boom Dox – Dead Nation (ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records) [Paul Hutchings]
There’s always a bit of trepidation when you see the genre listed as rap metal. When it comes together, such as the awesome Body Count, then there’s nothing better. But there is always the risk of some utter crap. Thankfully, the first album from Boom Dox is sprinkled with so many riffs that it’s a neck snapper from the start. The bonus of a guest slot from Body Count’s Vincent Price on Guns Blazing merely adds to the credibility. Formed in Greece in 2017, you’d be un-surprised if they hailed from New York, such is their attitude and drive. The band comprises Nickal (ex. Overgarven, Wild Souls), who decided to start a new rap metal project with a local Hip Hop artist/DJ AK47 a.k.a Mr.Sharp.
They recruited drummer Dino George from the band Nightrage and bassist and long-time friend Dr.V. Dead Nation fuses rap and metal with the obvious influences of Body Count, Slayer, Pantera, RATM and Public Enemy. What they do isn’t new, but they do it well. It’s a short record, at just 26 minutes long, but there is ample groove to make those speakers rock. Unsurprisingly, Dead Nation sees the band tackling topical issues including racism, social injustice, police brutality, corruption and abuse of power. It’s a worldwide palette from which so many bands can draw their themes, and Boom Dox deliver their message with power.
The tracks are ferocious, with the title track changing the tempo and style to incorporate clean singing as well as the strong rapping of Mr. Sharp. Songs such as Death From Above, Black Light and Leave No Man Behind (also featuring Vincent Price) are punchy, groove-filled and full of passion. I’m no connoisseur of this genre but I found this album vital, contemporary and crammed full of some of the fiercest riffs of the year. There’s enough to appeal to most metal fans who can broaden their minds and appreciate the quality on offer. 9/10
Four space punks from Swansea came together for what they call Tŵp Rock. Essentially Tŵp Rock is stoner punk, driving riffs, shouty vocals and a general ruggedness to their rock n roll. Made up Matt Williams (guitar and voice), Jonny Randell (guitar and vocals), Owen Foote (drums, piano, vocals & words) and Gavin Smith (bass) are the four men making this racket, this Love Crime EP opens with the raging Space Punk the trio voices in unison for this jerky Hawkwind-like opener that gets the blood pumping, though Jessie reminds me more of Springsteen or The Gaslight Anthem as a bit of blue collar ballad. They bring fuzzy guitars back on the title track which has touch of Supersuckers and Black Spiders to it as well. The six tracks on this EP all segue well into one another keeping the pace lively, with members of other Welsh stoner/punk/rock bands (Suns Of Thunder, Sigiriya & Estuary Black) there's a lot experience on offer here that translates into a wild ride. It's time for Hwdu to get out there and that voodoo that they do so well. 8/10