Reviews: Kittie, Lowrider, Dusted Angel, Sölicitör (Cherie Curtis & Rich Piva)

Kittie – Spit XXV (Sumerian Records) [Cherie Curtis]

25 years since the Nu Metal classic album Spit was released, Kittie celebrates by bringing us 4 exceptional reimagined favourites; Spit, Do You Think I’m A Whore, Brackish and Charlotte. Remasters can be slippery. After all, why would we want cleaner version of a beloved classic? However, the juxtaposition between what was created by Kittie in the year 2000 and 25 years of refinement, experience and the development, Spit XXV is truly something to behold.

Spit (2000s) is the product of its time; it reflects the modification of a genre in a male dominated field and brought the scene some needed blazing female rage. Kittie embodied who we were as an audience in that era, Kittie’s Spit was gritty, angry, messy and new-fangled yet rudimentary and amateur at the same time which was part of the charm. Spit (2000s) originally had heavy distortion and reverb with frenzied pacing and the metal vocals though flawed was aggressive and engaging, the slower melodic hooks added a hint of lavishness to the sleaze of nu – metal.

Do You Think I’m A Whore XXV Is sharp and just as cutting as the original with its signature drums and snare hits with a tenuous chorus. Only this time we are indulged by the amount of texture being given, the melodic vocals in the chorus are now layered with backing vocals and polished. The metal vocals which were once flawed are so much more satisfying and skilled, especially at the end when we get delivered a well sustained neck breaking scream which blew me away, I was not expecting that from Kittie.

Brackish XXV is superb. It sounds faster this time round and the instrumentals are so much stronger, there’s no overpowering just great dynamics. I believe they have changed a lyric. What was previously ‘Scarred in dismay’ is now ‘Scarred in this way’, whether they thought the latter was more mature or grammatically correct I'm not sure, but it highlights their attention to detail.

Spit XXV is what the album should have been. The production is refined, and the instrumentals are more conscious. The vocals are overlaid with harmonies for a more ethereal tone. It's clear the amount of skill and effort that went into this remaster paid off and the difference between the two is outstanding. Spit XXV might not hold the same nostalgic value but it’s enriching and has the soul of the album we know and love. 10/10

Lowrider - Ode To Io (Blues Funeral Recordings) [Rich Piva]

I do not think I need to write up a review song by song of the stoner rock classic, Ode To Io, that was release 25 years ago and helped to form the genre and scene to what it is today. While the band has a frustratingly small discography, what Lowrider has put out will never be described as anything but classic, this record being how it all started.

Now, for its 25th anniversary, Blues Funeral is giving us a deluxe edition of Ode To Io, with the artwork how the band wanted it to look originally, some very cool colored vinyl, and a remastering that just barely touches up a record that really needed no fixing. You get the original album, the six bonus tracks that were on the 20th anniversary edition, and all the awesomeness that Lowrider from the year 2000 was all about. So, you know, amazing stuff.

A perfect record; if you don’t have Ode To Io, here is your chance to fix your mistake and pick up a beautiful new version from Blues Funeral. If you have it already, buy another one for the new art and fancy vinyl. After all, it is one of the main reasons you listen to what you do. 10/10

Dusted Angel - This Side Of The Dirt (Heavy Psych Sounds) [Rich Piva]

Dusted Angel is a project that has been kicking around Los Angeles since 2008 or so. Made up of musicians and friends from which most come from a punk rock background, the band put out a full length and a single between 2009 and 2010 and played a bunch of shows with bands like Fu Manchu and the Melvins. 

Unfortunately, because of a whole bunch of life stuff for various members, the project never got too much further than that. That is, until now, as Dusted Angel is back and giving us their first record in 15 years, titled This Side Of The Dirt. Both the band name and title of this record is perfect for what these guys bring, which is filthy riffs, punk rock vocals, and songs that are heavy but maintain a sense of melody in their tracks that can be as sticky as a dive bar’s floor.

When I listen to the first track on the record, Plastic People, I get all sorts of reference points that get thrown into a blender, and what comes out is some gross but delicious concoction. I mentioned Fu Manchu and the Melvins; I hear both of those bands here. I also get a Jesus Lizard thing too, but with stoner riffs and more melodic. 

The punk influences of the band are strong on This Side Of The Dirt, with some Motorhead vibes to go along with it. That is until it slows down and you get sludgy Black Flag, which is probably my favourite section of the record. You get everything in one song, and it is glorious. The Fu Manchu reference stands true on Redman, at least musically; vocally Clifford Dinsmore has this Hank Rollins/David Yow thing going on, which works great. 

That BF/JL thing continues on the title track, with Dinsmore talk singing over some slowed down sludgy post rock goodness. Kiss O Shame circles back to my Melvins reference, maybe something from Stag. The riffs on this one are killer. The song doesn’t stay that way, as we then get some filthy stoner rock to partner with the Buzz-esque riffs. 

There is something 70s proto about this one too. Just when you think you have these guys pegged, you get a NWOBHM riff to open up Little Lizzy, and it just gets better from there. The Thorn reminds me a bit of The Stooges while the closer, Seeking The Dawn, is chock filled with 70s proto metal riffs and punk snarls.

It is great to see a band like Dusted Angel brush off from a lot of tough life stuff and continue with a passion project that they love. It is even more impressive that after 15 years, the songs on This Side Of The Dirt are so good. If you like the sludgy side of Black Flag, The Melvins, Jesus Lizard, 70s proto metal, with some melody lurking beneath the surface, you will really dig This Side Of The Dirt. 8/10

Sölicitör – Enemy In Mirrors (Gates Of Hell Records) [Cherie Curtis]

Sölicitör brings us 10 tracks of substantial speed metal. With Amy Lee Carlson’s satisfyingly powerful vocals take us on a dark and atmospheric journey through Enemy In Mirrors. Each track is gripping and conceptual with the deep rumbling bass and piercing instrumentals constantly climbing in suspense by Vogan, Fry and Cleary – Erickson all of whom evidence in this album that they are experts in what they do. What stands out the most in this album is how spiralling and nearly janky the instrumentals sound without feeling messy or gritty. It's the opposite, it’s exquisite.

A personal favorite from this album is Iron Wolves, this one sounds like a storm. It’s dark with pure power with Iron Maiden sounding riffs but before it sounds too familiar there's a unique spin. In this one in place of a genre typical breakdown near the end Sölicitör has elongated and beautifully finessed solos (interesting as it feels like they’re doing power metal backwards) before ending on some one-of-a-kind airy sustained metal screams which sounds like the howling of wolves to drive their narrative for this album.

Each track is strong, and it’s guaranteed to get you moving. It's well produced and high energy and is consistently good. For me speed metal isn't my usual listen, so I did find it repetitive at times and thought it ran a little long for my preference however I did greatly enjoy myself. 7/10