Album Type : Full Length
Date Released : 16/7/2013(USA)
26/7/2013 (EU)
Label : FRW Music
The Distortion Field, album track
listing:
1. Paranoid Conspiracy
2. When the Sky Comes Down
3. The Broken Have Spoken
4. Sink or Swim
5. One Life
6. Have I Told You
7. Hunters of Doom
8. Glass of Lies
9. Butterflies
10. Sucker
11. Bleeding Alone
12. The Grey Chill of Autumn
13. Your Reflection
Line-up:
Kyle Thomas : vocals
Bruce Franklin : guitar
Rick Wartell : guitar
Mark Lira : Drums
Bruce Franklin : guitar
Rick Wartell : guitar
Mark Lira : Drums
Review:
Trouble return for their first
studio album since 2007. Truthfully, I have lost track of the band since their
classic 80's to mid 90's period. However, when I heard that Kyle Thomas would
be taking over vocals for this record... suffice it to say that I was very
interested! Thomas, as you may/should know is a world class vocalist who has
graced several metal classics in his time. From Exhorder to Floodgate to the
absolutely superb “Open Fire” by Alabama Thunderpussy (much missed!) Thomas has
some serious cred.
Paranoia
Conspiracy kicks
things off with a large groove, old school sound and massive vocal performance.
Right away, you are reminded of records such as “Manic Frustration” and
you just have time to sit back and soak up When The Sky Comes Down. With
a more “Psalm 9” or “The Skull” kind of vibe, the guitars work like
classic Tipton and Downing and Thomas brings a vocal of Dio-esque bombast.
The Broken
Has Spoken slows
things to a lumbering groove. The song packs an insistent refrain and nods back
to when doom wasn't all about taking a lot of drugs and recording records on a
mobile phone placed inside a tin can. Sink Or Swim has a creeping riff
and good leads to open things up. Multi track vocals make the track unexpectedly
melodic and Thomas recalls one of his biggest early fans (Phil Anselmo) in his
phrasing and delivery.
Doom riffs abound in One Life
as the band settles into a strong pattern. Again, the vocals really shine, as
does the lead work. Have I Told You brings the record into ballad
territory- remember that this is a classic doom band- and the change of
delivery works well with the pacing of the album.
Hunters Of
Doom is a standout for me- The
Tempter is recalled in the riffing (yay!) and the subject matter is pure
old school metal as well. The ghost of Dio fairly leaps out of the speakers as
Thomas cranks up the histrionics before a surprising drop in drama and tempo
that gives some lovely lead work before ratcheting up again through the gears.
Glass Of
Lies echoes more “Manic
Frustration”-era Trouble with its bluesy groove and gives a classic kind of
rock track to the album. It is this kind of hallmark which marks Trouble out as
such an important band. They bridge eras and genres; from Sabbath to Priest to
Vitus to Down, Trouble echo lots of bands, but sound like no one. They have
enough bite to satisfy the most ardent of adrenaline junkies and enough melody
and class to interest, say, the average fan of Free or Rainbow. Butterflies
has clean guitars to start then an almost Soundgarden type riff (who were huge
Sabbath fans, remember) before stomping onwards then getting all melodic again
before a scorching lead section.
Sucker is up tempo, groovy and switches between
time signatures effectively. Again, the vocals soar as the guitars keep things
locked down. Bleeding alone is a sort of bridge track, beloved of Sabbath and
Vitus, that links in to the record's final two tracks. Greying Chill of
Autumn rather foreboding and eerie in atmosphere and opts for mid pace
rather than that of a snail to get its point across.
Some have criticised or been put
off Trouble in the past because of the (supposed? Actual?) Christian bent of
some of their work. Honestly, if you look hard enough I am sure that you could
find that influence in the record- whether it is there or not, won’t matter to
those that want to find it. However, it simply does not matter to me what band
members believe or reference. When a
record is this good, it shouldn't matter to you either. To reject
Trouble on that basis would be the same as dismissing Victor Griffin's
Christian period (foolish!) or, equally, boycotting any number of metal bands
for endorsing (seriously or not) Satan. Indeed, I don't agree with Varg
Vikernes' politics or his past violence, but I still love early Burzum
regardless. So, let's not get hung up on religion/beliefs and enjoy this for
what it is- a great doom/hard rock record with musicians operating at the top
of their game.
Your
Reflection closes the
record strongly with heavy riffing, melody, classy soloing and strong hooks
that are the bread and butter of this outstanding album. If you had/have an
interest in Trouble then don't hesitate to pick this up. If you haven't checked
out the band for whatever reason... what are you waiting for?!
Words by : Richard Maw
As ever, show your support to the band by checking them out at the various links below. You can get your CD, Vinyl, DD here in the USA and it will be available at the usual places in Europe 26/7/2013. Thanks to Kat Podmolik at Space Loft Six for hooking us with the record for review, many thanks again! You can listen to an exclusive 3
song sampler exclusively via Decibel magazine here
