Album Type: Full
Length
Date Released: 15/12/2014
Label: Self
Released
‘Bong Threat’ DD
track listing:
1).
Most Precious Weed
2).
Fisted Sister
3).
Legalise It
4).
Bong Threat
5).
Donkey Bong/War Pigs
6).
The Wrestler
The Band:
Jim
| Guitar and Vox
Andrew
| Bass and Vox
Keenan
| Drums and Vox
Review:
Bong
Threat, three guys from Ferguson, MO, who appeared on the doom front late last
year with their eponymous 6-track debut, have created a sound which they have
called “Party Doom.” Lyrically, they wax
poetic on the joys of smoking (and the hopes of legalizing) marijuana, but make
no mistake…the music is 100% doom. I was
highly impressed with their first track entitled “Most Precious Weed” upon my
first listen, and with that said to myself, “This is the review for me.”
Starting
off with a wave of swirling feedback, it reaches its crescendo then kicks into
gear with a head-nodding rhythm around the 1 minute mark. At 2 minutes it really picks up the pace but
then slows down again when the vocals kick in, which I may add fit perfectly with
the tone of the music. A gravelly growl
that is not overdone, so thankfully it works well.
The
following track, “Fisted Sister,” definitely channels some Eyehategod
(especially in the beginning section).
Then slows it down to an almost acoustic-style rhythm before turning the
“electricity back on” if you will, and we’re back to doom land once more. Onwards then and “Legalize It” is a 6-minute droner, lyrically
expounding on the injustices suffered by those who partake in the “sweet leaf.” Heavy, doomy and gloomy. Excellent!
Next
up is their namesake track, “Bong Threat.”
This one starts off slow and heavy as one would imagine, but then
alternates in between with some of fastest drum beats of the album. With very few vocals throughout, this is the track
where the drummer gets to intermittently show off his skin bashing skills. Overall very solid.
“Donkey Bong / War Pigs,” is up next and is my
favorite track of the album. It’s a
slow-churning dirge at first that builds to a faster tempo head-nodder by
midway. It has an excellent riff and a
nice, crunchy tone. Hear this you’ll and
see why this was an instant favorite of mine.
The
6th and final song of the album is titled “The Wrestler.” This one starts off heavy but soon turns into
a somber guitar strummer, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a great song but I am not so sure this
would fall into their category of “Party Doom,” as the
tone of the song is very downtrodden and bleak, ending with the screams of a
man suffering a pain unknown.
“Bong
Threat” definitely have something good going here, so don’t let this one pass
you by and make sure you give it a listen.
Words by:
Mike Lainez
‘Bong
Threat’ is available here
For more
information:
