"Been looking forward to this one for awhile. I love new music Tuesday.
The Speed of Smoke is psychedelic sludge rock– a new musical permutation (emphasis on mutation): there’s definitely sludge here, and it’s assuredly psychedelic, yet sounds like rock, rather than metal. There’s as much hip-shaking as head banging.
I dig it. It’s NWOBHM covering Blue Cheer.
Atlanta’s Wizard Smoke, and their previous work, Live Rock in Hell, were reviewed (on Hallowe’en, no less) here, and included on my top 20 of last year here.
Singer James Halcrow couldn’t have more distinct vocals– something like Sabbat’s Martin Walkyier, yet his own as well: a raspy as hell, how-can-he-not-shred-his-vocal-chords type of voice. You won’t forget it. The lyrics seem to tell a tale that might make a lot more sense stoned.
Starting with opening track “Dead Wood” and continuing throughout the whole album, there’s almost a swing vibe, a rockin’-yet-laid back vibe, like Jimmy Buffet if he were sold into slavery from a young age and abused meth instead of alcohol.
Track 3, “Weakling” drops in a cool talk-box lyric that works, that sounds like a Hammond B-3 organ is talking to you…yeah: this would sound even better stoned. “Panama II” swirls and rotates over the same chord, up and down, back and forth, in a vaguely Middle Eastern vibe… the snake charmer riff….
Overall, it’s a cool, very slight evolution of the sound on Live Rock in Hell. A bit more complex, more adventurous, while maintaining the same identity." - The Soda Shop review of the new album.
Wizard Smoke on Facebook
"Our new years resolution in 2011 was to refrain from using the words “pop” or “catchy.” We’re sticking to our guns on this release at least as this LP is a punk behemoth. If you remember the Frantic, you know that Mike and Brannon don’t pick up instruments without asking themselves what Rick Agnew would do. This record is short and deliberate, but you can definitely pick up tinges of post punk too. The Adolescents worship continues, but you get the idea they may be secretly digging Warsaw. Comes with digital download as well." - Douchemaster review of the new Predator album
Predator on Myspace
Guitar/Vox: Matt Matson
Lead Guitar: Steve Casey
Death by Drums: Michael A Robinson
Death Of Kings on Facebook
$8, 21+
Doors @ 9 pm
No comments:
Post a Comment