Sunday 3 November 2013

Big Business - Battlefields Forever - Album Review



Big Business is a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Los Angeles, USA

The members are:

Jared Warren
Coady Willis
Scott Martin

We all know who Big Business are. If you don't then shame on you as they are an incredible Sludge/Stoner Metal Band who have released some superb records over the last decade or so. Plus two members of the band Jared and Coady are members of legendary Sludge Metallers - The Melvins.

Since their last album - 2009's Mind The Drift - Big Business have added another member - Scott Martin as guitarist and backing vocals. Describing themselves as a Power Quartet. Gotta love their sense of humour.

But 4 years later - Big Business are back with their 4th album - Battlefields Forever. Now I am going to say this right from the start. Battlefields Forever is Big Business finest album to date. Adding a guitarist to the mix was a masterstroke by the band. Sure they have toured a few times since 2009 and released a few EP's and singles. Battlefields Forever is where Big Business prove once and for all they should be a deadly trio.

The album is full of the same Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs we all come to expect from this great band. Though they are louder than ever. First track - Chump Chance - is played at a fast and furious pace with a great punk rock vibe lurking underneath the Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs the band are masters at. These guys could give Mastodon/Torche a lesson at writing fast paced Sludge Metal riffs.

Up next is - No Vowels - which shows the band on fine creative form. With superb edgy lyrics and vocals combining with the brutal fine riffs the band are playing yet again. Big Business have lost none of their passion and fury since their last album. It's great hearing the guys showing today's upcoming bands on how to play fast paced riffs!!!

See the masters in full flight folks. There isn't a band that can stop them when they are on this fine form. Big Business continue their constant attack of excellent tracks to check out. Mainly with Battlefields which could give Torche/Red Fang a run for their money. This is a song created for one thing. Riffs and to rock out. OK maybe two things.

Battlefields is one of the albums standout tracks and possibly one of the finest tracks the band have written in years. It seems that Big Business have re-discovered their energy and passion that I think was missing on their last album. I have no complaints here. The album proves why Big Business are one of the finest bands in the Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. Check out excellent tracks - Doomsday, Today!, Heavy Shoes, Our Mutant  for more evidence of this.

But the album truly comes to life on the two epic tracks - Trees and Lonely Lyle. Trees is a 6:12 minute track full of bruising riffs to crush your soul to and the band have written insightful lyrics to match.

Though it's the epic 9:18 final track - Lonely Lyle - that makes Battlefields Forever such a brilliant album and arguably their finest release to date. Lonely Lyle starts rather subdued before exploding into a loud sonic wall of noise that Big Business have made their name with. It's a rather intriguing story as well. Big Business have written some emotionally charged lyrics to match the music. Though you know the epic riffs are just round the corner to give the track a dangerous edge. And the band don't waste a single second here.

Battlefields Forever sees Big Business as a band reborn wanting to reclaim their throne after many years in the Sludge/Stoner Metal wilderness. And on this form they truly deserve to reclaim their throne.

The instrumental work is phenomenal through out. Each note and riff expertly played by all involved. Big Business actually do mean business on this album. it's great to have you back guys. Don't leave it so long next time.

Battlefields Forever is a phenomenal release that everyone should have in their record collection.

Battlefields Forever is available to buy on Digital Download BandCamp Now. Pre-Orders for Vinyl are available here.

Check The Band From Links Below

bigbigbusiness.com
BandCamp
Facebook
indiemerch.com
Twitter
instagram.com