I gotta say right off the bat when I heard “band of motorcycle dudes want you to review this” from the boss, I was a little weary. This release is produced really well and I kept waiting to see what kind of vocalist are they going to stick on top of this kind of music because that is always the make or break element with this type of band. Luckily and what elevates them a level above all of those shitty bar bands I’ve seen in my life is they didn’t put vocals over this. Usually you can go a couple ways with vocals that either enhance or detract from the music. I think it usually takes a really special singer to enhance this type of music without sounding. It’s a little like as if they were the metal version of Rush and lost all of the weirdness, stripped any jazz elements away and kept everything in 4/4.
All three musicians are tight and really compliment each other well. It’s funny because I was having a conversation with a friend of mine the other day who works in sync licensing and we generally chat about what is the “in” thing right now for movies and TV. I’m not joking when I say that this band is exactly what is “in” right now. Maybe it’s nostalgia but I’d imagine this could be the soundtrack at most biker bars and nobody would complain. It’s a little bit of Thurogood, Motley Crue, Steppenwolf and anything else you can think of that would go well with a Easy Rider remake or in an episode of Sons Of Anarchy.
My one issue is really this isn’t pushing any boundaries musically but I suppose the people this was written for are going to be very excited about that and will appreciate that it doesn’t break any boundaries. It’s like Spinal Tap says, volume up to 11 and just in your face the entire time. Shredding galore and rarely a quiet moment, this release really keeps that high octane feel you’d want from a release that I suppose is made for enjoying while out riding around on a motorcycle. Track 3 does have a nice break at the end from the all out rock and the keyboards thrown in here and there on the other tracks do round out the sound nicely. If you are looking for non-descript riffy rock and roll to listen to while playing pool or riding around on a motorcycle, if that’s your thing I think you just found your new favorite band.
- Sam Lowry, BMN Contributor