Genre: Stoner. Sludge
Label: Independent
Man, I thought this band ruled before I even hit play! When you’ve got a name like King Gnat, you’ve gotta be… oh wait… fucking dyslexia. Well, KING GIANT is good too. I guess… Naw, I kid the guys! I was actually super excited since I was in the mood for some hyper sluggish, THC infused metal!
The vocalist kind of reminds me of that bit of infamous footage of Scott Stapp (the ballbag from Creed… yeah, I barely remember them too), drunk off his ass and belting booze soaked nothings into the microphone… except, when your voice is naturally gruff and you’re the front man of a sludgy, stoner metal group, that shit totally kills! Southern Darkness has the sexy, abrasive feel of a steel wool condom! This shit is thick too. And I mean THICK! Chugs that are a wall a mile and a half wide of freshly laid tar, still steaming and accompanied by riffs that could bound that same wall, but in slow-mo. Soaring like a portly albatross (geez, the analigies are kinda off tonight, aren’t they?) and building a nest of hemp, discarded square bottles and crushed cans.
The pace is consistent, the style runs from plain stonerific to southern fried and it hit’s the spot if you’re itchin’ for something to listen to while you’re waiting for those twenty six pizzas you order to show up.
Overall: Recommended HIGHly for fans of microwavable burritos, 3 a.m. trips to 7-11 (or the Piggly-Wiggly), shiny things and throwing shit off the overpass to see what sounds it makes…
9/10
King Giant On MySpace
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Genre: Doom, Sludge, Hard Rock, Psychedelic, Punk
Label: Candlelight Records
You know how sometimes if you’re drawn to a band because it has a member of another band that you like in it? Yeah. Sometimes you run into that snag. It’s that one where the new band that you’re checking out sounds just like the original band that that guy you like is in. Well, City Of Fire has two or ‘em. Both are from Fear Factory: Mr. Burton C. Bell and a Mr. Byron Stroud.
But as luck would have it, City Of Fire actually stood alone for me, for a while. I listened to their self titled debut album about three time, loving it more and more each time… and then I though, “this vocalist sounds awfully familiar…” A quick Google search later and boom! I found my familiars.
I guess it needs to be said that City Of Fire sounds NOTHING like any of these guy’s affiliated bands, not one iota. City Of Fire makes this album feel brand fucking new, yet all too familiar and simply approachable with it’s memorable melodies and cathartic choruses. Not a single song on this album gets too aggressive at all. It’s a pretty chill throughout (especially A Memory. Awesome fucking song!)
Burton’s voice is distinctly brilliant as always. He stays on the cleaner side of things for the majority of the time and only occasionally dips into his trademark gruff shout. As far as the stings go… they manage to bring the mellow on a level that’s almost overwhelming. There’s a weight to every chord that just crushes you if you aren’t prepared for it… which I guess kind of plays against my “chill” remark. But believe me, give it a second listen and you’ll wish the Q-Tip in your hand was a joint! Remember that bit of info when Spirit Guide creeps up on you. You’ll be wondering what classic family movie this album syncs up with…
Not to mention the all too awesome covers of two heavily influential bands songs: The Rain (by The Cult) and Children Of The Revolution (by T-Rex).
Overall: Aside from some overly ambitious stuff that just didn’t seem to pan out to me (lots of silent breaks or long bouts of droning that just seem excessive), City Of Fire is hot, Hot, HOT!!! Recommended for fans of everyone from doom to hard rock to psychedelic shit to punk. It’s all here and it’s all great!
9.5/10
City Of Fire On MySpace
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Genre: Heavy Metal, Sludge, Rock ‘n’ Roll
Label: Independent
And here I was thinking I’ve heard/heard of all of the bands around the Portland Vancouver area… so I guess it’s no surprise that these guys came swinging out of left field with this heavy metal, sludgefest that bangs off some hard rock and roll vibes. Very nice indeed.
Immediately, I can hear something that is going to divide the lovers from the haters: the vocalist. He’s kind of got this gravely Scott Weiland thing going on that you’re either going to love or hate. Personally, I dig it. It bodes very well with the grooves and works especially well when he drops down a bit during tough guy song D.O.A.
Without doling out any disrespect to any of the other band members, guitarist Erik Fountaine makes this demo as awesome as it is! Interestingly, inventive and even intuitive riffs flood the demo and drown any doubt that these guys are in it for any other reason than kicking your ass!
Overall: A valiant outing from this budding metal ‘n’ rollin’ band with excellent production! Let’s hope we hear more in the future… maybe I’ll even tell them so when I see them on the 24th at the Oak Grove Bar & Grill… *shameless plug*
8/10
Titarius On MySpace
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Genres: Hardcore, Sludge
Label: Independent
Sludge as fuck, Old Love is a fun album to listen to. Classy riffs full of crunchy distortion are coupled with gruff, manly vocals that make me think of Five Will Die, Deathbeds, and Black Tusk.
It’s not a smorgasbord of solos, but the ones that are present are air guitar spawning, while the rhythm is perfect to mosh to. And with titles like “Pig”, “Take My Juice”, and “Fuck It Out”, these aren’t songs for the weak. And with the quality of the album, it won’t be Songs of the Week either; this mother is a contender for Album of the Year awards.
Chambers will be releasing this album on June 22, and it’s hitting only digital retailers. I suggest you get it.
8 out of 10.
Chambers on MySpace.
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With only weeks remaining until the release of their debut album “Old Love”, CHAMBERS have unveiled the artwork for their forthcoming LP. The artwork entitled “The Flirt” was painted by Bret Wintle and Timothy Connors is responsible for the layout and the text.
Guitarist John Pinho spoke about the album artwork:
“When I took a look at Bret’s portfolio I immediately fell in love with “The Flirt”. We had all agreed the painting was very fitting for the band and would be an image that would stick with the band for years to come. I’m stoked for June 22nd so people can finally get this music and art that Bret and Tim put together so well”
CHAMBERS’ debut album, “Old Love” will see a nationwide digital release June 22nd 2010. “OLD LOVE” will be available for download from the following retailers I-tunes, Rhapsody, MySpace Music, Amazon, EMUSIC, LALA, IMVU, Amie St, Shockhound.com, Nokia Music Store and the Lime Wire Store.
Described as “the band to take over” and “the sound of 2010″ by James Gill and Terry Beezer of Metal Hammer Magazine, CHAMBERS is a metallic hardcore wrecking ball on a mission to destroy expectations. Always willing to set a fire and fan the flames, CHAMBERS’ debut album, “Old Love” is poised for a new blend of aggression and is “not for the faint hearted.”
CHAMBERS have scheduled additional live dates to coincide with the release of the new album. These dates include a return to the Party Expo in Brooklyn, NY which they decimated last time they played. Check out the review from Brooklyn Vegan to get an idea of what can be expected their next show there on June 8th. A record release party/show is scheduled for June 26th in Hoboken, NJ at Maxwell’s. More details regarding the release party will be announced in the coming days.
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