Reviews: Sonny Landreth, Serpent Noir, Empire Warning, Simplefast (Paul H, Rich & Matt)

Sonny Landreth: Blacktop Run (Provogue Records)

American, Louisiana to be precise, blues guitarist Sonny Landreth has been called "probably the most underestimated musician on the planet, and also probably one of the most advanced" by none other than Eric Clapton. High praise but as soon as the instrumental slide fest of Beyond Borders blares out of this record you can exactly why God himself has bestowed this honour.  This record is mixture of blues sounds pairing slide guitar driven electric rockers like Groovy Goddess with more acoustic traditional blues on Don't Ask Me, the experimentation works well as an entire record of either could have left people a bit cold, but when they are blended together it makes for a much more cohesive gumbo. Along for the ride are the powerhouse backing band of bassist David Ranson, drummer Brian Brignac and keyboardist Steve Conn who all shine equally here against the guitar mastery of Landreth. The searing instrumentals bring some Latin flavours of Santana (Lover Dance With Me) along with some jazzy flourishes, it's these instrumentals that split the album up almost into different sections as the vocal songs take the edge off with slower, more traditional sounds of blues and country, the title track is full of down-home chicken picking, with Mule also in that country sound. An experimental melting pot of Americana, Blacktop Run is an interesting engaging and enjoyable blues album. 7/10

Serpent Noir: Death Clan OD (W.T.C Productions) [Rich Oliver]

Death Clan OD is the new album from Greek black metallers Serpent Noir. Not a band I was aware of but from doing a bit of reading up on the band they appear to be a very well received band in the metal underground and Death Clan OD certainly is an enjoyable album. The style of black metal played by Serpent Noir sits somewhere in between the Norwegian style of bands such as Gorgoroth and the more melodic style by bands such as Dissection. The six songs (plus intro song) are a furious maelstrom of cutting black metal riffage with cold and evil melodies. There is a perfect balance between the chaotic and the melodic such as on Cutting The Umbilical Cord Of Hel and Astaroth: The Jaws Of Gha’Agsheblah with some beautiful melodic lead guitar parts worked seamlessly alongside the classic black metal tremolo riffs and blast-beats. The vocals are a mix of of black metal style screams and an almost spoken world style whilst the lyrics are all provided by Swedish occultist Thomas Karlsson who has also previously provided lyrics for Therion. Death Clan OD is an enjoyable melodic black metal release. It doesn’t have much staying power but it is executed and performed fantastically. 7/10

Empire Warning: Unite Or Die  (Self Released) [Paul Hutchings]

London Metal 2 The Masses 2019’s winners Empire Warning release their groove ridden EP Unite Or Die this week. Four songs of LOG style thrashing stomp which provide evidence why this band fought their way through a rather wide field of entries. Reflecting on the state of the planet and the instability we face in our daily lives, there’s also an industrial feel here, the band unafraid to branch out with their style. Heil To The Rat King opens the EP, whilst Stuck follows, the vocals of Elsio harsh and angry. With thick killer riffs Take From Me maintains the pounding momentum. EP closer Verge Of Sanity is sure to provoke chaos in the pit, the charging rhythm driven by thunderous drumming. A solid EP which suggests that their debut album will be well worth a listen. 6/10

Simplefast: Eternal (Sliptrick Records) [Paul Hutchings]

The second album from the Athens based outfit, Eternal is a solid if unspectacular release, plagued by one flaw that irritated me from start to …, well as far as I got. Following the traditional intro style, it’s The Liar’s Truth that gets things moving, with a melodic thrash approach that is easy to listen to. Nothing too jarring at all. New signer Yiannis Voulgaropoulos makes an immediate impact with a strong vocal performance, although the backing vocals on the chorus are unnecessary and detract from Voulgaropoulos’s clean delivery. Neat, intricate thrash played competently is however, always welcome, and the band are solid enough to make it enjoyable. Nero Reborn switches style, a punk fused Maiden approach which isn’t the best song, and disappointingly Voulgaropoulos’s tone is somewhat off. Again, the backing vocals are just frustrating.

There’s a bit of thunder on Destroyer, a thick heavy riffed song, gruff vocals jostling for position and by now I’m really pissed off with the constant dull backing vocals which are really to the detriment of the songs. Out of tone and tune, just stop it! But no, it continues and by Atonement I’m really fed up to the point where I reach for the off button. I’ll give the band some credit. The production is crisp and clear with Eternal having been mixed by Simplefast and Markos Samaras at Wudsound Studios in Athens, Greece and mastered by Jay Maas in Boston, USA. Overall though, it’s a shame as there is clearly talent in the band, and musically it is interesting enough. I wish them luck. 4/10