Album Review, Grifter Self Titled Album

Grifter are a British southern hard rock outfit from Chudleigh that have been knocking around the UK scene since 2003. Their self-titled is record is out now on Catacomb Records and Ripple Music and Nihilist’s American gunsmith Steaming Heathen hooked us up with the record.


The record begins with the ballsy ‘Good Day For Bad News’. Riffs not unlike a nastier Black Stone Cherry with a charcoal tone that suits perfectly. Already it’s hard to believe there is only one guitar in this band, props to the production. The action is only interrupted by a brief slide guitar solo with a cold reverb lather to contrast the scorching guitars. Follow this with the dirty named ‘Alabama Hotpocket’, which opens with the filthiest chords to match.


Next up is ‘Asshole Parade’, and something about this reminds me of ‘Sabotage’ era Black Sabbath, the arrangement and the behaviour of the guitars and bass smacks of something from that last great Sabbath outing, and maybe I’m too bias towards Sabbath sounds but this is one of the highlights on the record for this blogger. Another high point is track 5, ‘Young Blood Old Veins’, a more stoner leaning tune with hints of an Orange Goblin vibe. All the grooves remain unmistakably southern rock based. In an odd match up of sounds, vocalist and guitarist, Ollie, has a touch of Myles Kennedy about his voice.


Track 8, the simply named, ‘Bean’, has something more of a traditional British touch about it, coupled with a nice modulating blues format during the verse. Followed by penultimate ‘Piss and Gas’, (the list of song names on this record are entertaining in itself) which shows a deft control of dynamics when the band slows things right down during the chorus. Finally we close the record with ‘Gone Blues’, a sad, slow acoustic number, coloured with some more slide work and minimal percussion from kickers and handclaps.


What we have here is a very well produced and well written record that any hard rock fan will no doubt dig. If there’s any one problem I have it’s that there is rather little variation between songs. Having said that, each track is put together and played to its fullest. They are all short (never venturing beyond the 5 minute mark), sweet and fiery! I can imagine this band having a strong live show to boot. This has been, GRIFTER.


Grifter, Self-titled Album.
Rating: 7/10
For fans of: Black Stone Cherry, Orange Goblin, Nebula
Listen to some here: http://www.reverbnation.com/grifterrock 
Order the album here: http://ripplemusic.bigcartel.com/products 
By Edward Gerard Brophy for Born Again Nihilist and Grip of Delusion, 2011.


bornagainnihilist@gmail(dot)com

Album Review - Fistula 'Loser'

First off, let me just say that when this review is over, I never want to ever have to type the word 'fistula' into a google images search again.Jesus christ lads, why that name?WHY THAT NAME?

Well, maybe because like their music, it's quite disgusting.However, the music is also infinitely more appealing.Hailing from Cleveland ,Ohio, USA(something of  a scene round those parts it seems), Fistula deal in grind tinged , overdriven sludge, much in the vein of Eyehategod,  or a slightly less hellish Cough, with some old school crust and grindcore influences.Album opener 'Picking Up Chicks' sets out their stall , a surfeit of bottom tuned guitars awash in crackly, sickening distortion, that give way to a gnarly crust/grind bridge that is somewhat stomach churning in it's suddenness .'The Hounds' possesses a nicely thrashy opening  that's underpinned by some nicely tight double bass work from drummer Danny, that lapses back into an old school doom jam, replete with mournful guitar riffs and some impressive howling from singer Jesse, while closer 'Coma Forever' is probably the best thing on here, alternating between demented grinding and snails paced doom riffing.

However, it has to be said that throughout, the production is woeful.Even listening on headphones with a decent bass response, and decent enough gain, it's still annoyingly quiet in places, robbing the record of a lot it's potential power.Also,   as grimily enjoyable as 'Loser' is,the band's doom/grind/doom approach tends to get a  little monotonous after a few repeat listens.That said, the band are tight, and overall , it's a fun listen.But please someone turn up the bass next time!

Rating:6/10
For Fans of :Napalm Death, , Iron Monkey, Eyehategod, Cough,
Stephen O ' Connor for Born Again Nihilist and Grip of Delusion.
Listen here : http://www.myspace.com/fistula666

Album Review - Iron Claw, 'A Different Game'. Ripple Music 2011

This record presents an exciting opportunity for the listener: how often do you get to hear a new release from a band that cut its teeth in the true proto-metal days? This is Scotland's own Iron Claw's first release after some 40 years of relative inactivity. The band were recently described by Classic Rock magazine as being amongst 'The Lost Pioneers of Heavy Metal' and with this record the band hope to make a name for themselves once again.

The album opens with 'What Love Left', a track that carries a 'hey-day of British heavy metal' spirit with it. Powered first by original guitarist Jimmy Ronnie's super-old-school sound (think Paul Kossoff in an aggressive mood) then matched by new singer Gordon Brown's voice. Wait for the chorus to hear his voice and Ronnie's guitar weave around one another in some pure rock 'n' roll goodness. This track also has the first of what will be consistent solo breaks from Ronnie. However, his lead tone is something altogether more modern; heel down,gainy wah work in this case.

A pang of southern rock can be heard throughout the bulk of this record and third track 'The Traveller' is evidence. This one also demonstrates that singer Brown also comes from the Free school of rock music, big booming deep vocals not unlike Paul Rodgers'. Drummer Ian McDougall, another original member, keeps things 100% rock 100% of the time. Plenty of kicker heavy stuff from this guy that keeps the whole record sounding particularly solid.

Forth on the album we have title track 'A Different Game', an agreeably raw rock ballad. Here Brown takes us on a heart rending lyrical journey while Ronnie plays bright, almost Brent Hinds style overdriven chords. Sixth track we have the proof of the suspected southern influences with the conspicuously named 'Southern Sky'. Nicely off-kilter licks that The Allman Brothers would dig follow a sweet acoustic intro. Yet the sounds keep you guessing on this record, such as on number eight, 'It's Easy', another with an acoustic intro but the chorus sees the band pull out Guns 'N' Roses style big, filthy chords with relaxed mid-tempo drums behind.

Tenth track, 'Love is Blind' is one of the heavier hitters to be found here. The final minute and a half of this six minute long monster is a hellride of Judas Priest meets Hendrix psychedelia! Coming up behind, 'Targets' opens with some slick dirty riffing from bass slinger Alex Wilson. Lastly we have 'See Them Fall' which is animated by Wilson's fat bass sound. This is an angry one to boot, probably the most 'metal' track to be found here along with 'Love is Blind'. Yet again, Ronnie keeps us guessing with some old-fashioned, fx coloured, proggy lead work, which adds a fine touch of Krautrock vibe to the end of the record.

It's not everyday that a band from metal's formative years comes out with new material for us obsessive music heads to meditate over. As such, I think this is a release to be relished. It's not quite as dark as the Iron Claw of the early 70's but it is equally as experimental which is part of the joy of listening to proto-metal music when you can find it. This record scores major points for maintaining integrity. They could have put together a record of radio friendly, three minute hard rock songs but no, true to the title, this one is a different game.

Iron Claw, A Different Game.

Rating: 7/10

For fans of: Free, Judas Priest, Diamond Head.

Get a taste here: http://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/track/what-love-left

By Edward Gerard Brophy

For Born Again Nihilist and Grip of Delusion, 2011.