Werewolves – From The Cave To The Grave (Prosthetic Records) [Matt Cook]
Though only three musicians form the megalomaniacal group Werewolves, the expertise and know-how that accompanies them is as dizzying as the music within their third album in as many years, From The Cave To The Grave. The Aussies – David Haley (drums), Matt Wilcock (guitars) and Sam Bean (vocals, bass) have their fingerprints all over the metal scene; despite forming Werewolves in 2019, the trio have been a part of 22 total acts, four of which featured multiple current members. It’s a laundry list resume that easily could have given these guys an excuse to rest on their laurels and go at half-speed. Instead, this record is akin to going from watching eight-year-olds on the ice between an intermission and then seeing the pros return for the next period.
Simply put, Werewolves are tech death titans. Rest assured, there is no shortage of threatening vocals, obliterating instrumentals and bombastic tempos. Harvest Of The Skulls in particular leaves you seeing stars; the drums are clean even though they still exude danger and destructive intentions. Bean portions out his voracious vocals in a startlingly successful manner, and the chugging guitars sparring with catatonic bass pedaling produces a cantankerous cavalcade. Werewolves are not averse to groovy, slamming riffs and hooks while simultaneously heartening the masses with blistering arrangements.
For lack of a more concise breakdown, All The Better To Eat You With is a by-the-book banger. Haley is merciless behind the kit, imbuing the track with vigor and animosity. I’ve spent many a (stupefied) night on Twitter spewing effusive praise for Prosthetic Records. Their recent, torrid stretch of churning out top-quality mayhem is only further bolstered by the release of From The Cave To The Grave. 8/10
10,000 Years - III (Interstellar Smoke Records/Olde Magick Records) [Rich P]
10,000 Years brings the heavy on their third release, aptly titled III. I have really enjoyed the Västerås, Sweden trio’s first two releases, and III keeps that high quality output going. 10,000 Years, while firmly in the stoner/sludge category, bring the hardcore and thrash shredding on their latest release even more than previously. You get the hardcore vibes right off the bat with the opening track, Cult Axe. Not just with the vocals, but the riffs sound very early 90s hardcore and the pace of the track will get that circle pit going.
There is even a “down for life” breakdown that would get any Hatebreed fan all fired up. To counter that there is a ripper solo to close the track out. The track Megafauna reminds me of Unsane, which is a very high complement. Or maybe (very) early Helmet. Either way you can get the vibes that 10,000 are throwing off here, until suddenly you are thrashing to the end of the song. Desert Of Madness leans more towards the stoner/sludge side of the band and is more of a slow burner, but the Unsane vibes remain. Speaking of slow burners, the next track, The Secret Of Water is a 3 minute plus mostly chill (for 10,000 Years) instrumental that you could debate was not a necessary inclusion on III, but it leads into the absolute ripper The Green King Rises nicely. This track is my favorite on the record with a killer riff and shows off the absolute perfection of their sludgy side and once again some most excellent shredding.
Il Cattivo reminds me of early Mastodon in the best possible way. Escape For Earth is again 10,000 Years in all their sludgy glory, while the closer To Suns Beyond is the most sprawling, atmospheric track that I have heard from the band up until this point. Amazing guitar work and a great album ender. 10,000 Years is in top form on III and round out their initial trilogy of releases perfectly. This is some heavy stuff, so go in ready to have your head ripped off. Highly recommended. 8/10
Mystery Dudes - Exit Through The Wormhole (Electric Valley Records) [Rich P]
Oslo’s Mystery Dudes blend stoner rock with some snotty punk aesthetics to delivery an exciting debut full length, Exit Through The Wormhole, brought to us courtesy of Electric Valley Records. You get all sorts of stuff on Exit Through The Wormhole but for the most part you don’t get feeling like the record is all over the place (it happens only occasionally). Mystery Dudes songs are also super catchy, which is where you get some of those 90s punk vibes coming through and what helps to make their debut a memorable release.
Mountain Of Chill, the debut single and opening track from Exit Through The Wormhole, is a catchy stoner rocker that could fit on any playlist that may include bands like Fu Manchu and Queens Of The Stone Age. Perhaps a tour with a band like Volcanova would be a very complementary double bill. Evil Blood starts the leanings towards more of the snotty punk side but still is still more of the well-executed fuzzy stoner style. Punk is the aptly named track that leans heavy on the title’s side and is super catchy and probably my favorite track on the record. Ghost Train is also in the same vein and make for an excellent high tempo one two punch.
Mondo Happiness is an instrumental stoner rock jam that is a standout track that shows these guys know how to bring the riffs even when they are flying their punk flag. Witch’s Stare is the Dudes attempt at Sabbath worship (executed nicely) and with their punky spin. Mexican Stand Up wraps it up nicely with a punk infused ripper that would be an excellent set closer as well. Exit Through The Wormhole is a solid debut from Mystery Dudes and shows a ton of promise. I think we will see some growth and some more consistency on the next record but for now enjoy this one like I did. 7/10
Minipony – AJNA (Subsound Records) [Matt Cook]
Minipony are off the rails. Unhinged. Volatile. Short-tempered. Take any prior aggression, resentment or hindrance and confidently hand it over to Emilia Moncayo so they can act as the vehicle in which to completely and utterly annihilate any and all of life’s problems into a heap of dust. It might take a few listens to fully acclimate yourself with Moncayo’s style: abrasive doesn’t quite identify it. They use their rolodex of vocal tropes and incorporates breathing and laboring in a way that both sends shivers down your spine and ignites the wrath of Mephistopheles.
The anything-is-possible mantra envelopes AJNA, the sophomore release from this Ecuadorian experimental metal group. Backed by the prestigious French proggers Gojira (the album was record at Joe Duplantier’s studio and mastered by Johann Meyer), the three-piece take a battering ram to the very concept of labeling artists into pretty, form-fitting boxes. Sure, call Irresponsable a Mathcore track, what with its sporadic vocals which is preceded by scat singing. Kill Like A Human even emulates the great System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian. But comparisons in this instance are used more as a reference to be taken with a huge grain of salt and an understanding that Minipony are who they are, and the end result is truly themselves and nobody else.
Don 18 does its best futuristic metal impression, arming itself with a sufficient dose of computer beeps that co mingle with the drum line and helps aid in the album’s overall uneasy aura. The titular song is a case study in vocal progression: high-pitched to heavy to frantic. The rhythm section – guitarist Amadeus Galiano and drummer Carlos Sanchez – slots firmly into a mold that is by nature jangled and imperfect. Candidly, AJNA might not be the ideal first-choice to listen to if you’re feeling even a hint of anxiety or panic-attack-inducing thoughts creeping in. Where other bands may provide comfort and relief, Minipony feed off our insecurities and uncertainties. 8/10
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