Saturday 26 March 2016

GRÜZER - "Let It Burn" EP (Review)

By: Eric Crowe

Album Type: EP
Date Released: 01/04/ 2016
Label: Independent


The tone and song writing is top notch, even the solos are so on point, keeping the energy strong. For me, it has a Corrosion of Conformity “Blind” era feel and these guys are serious and bring a no nonsense attitude to the table, and they aren’t backing down.

“Let It Burn” CD//DD tracklisting:
1. The Accessory
2. Burning of Columbia
3. Birminghammer
4. Bruised Not Broken
5. The Calm Before…

The Review:

Heavy, dirty, southern swagger straight out the gate! And it’s dead on from there with these Columbia, SC natives. “The Accessory” begins with a good ‘ol sample of an engine revving and from then the song kicks you right in the jaw with hard hitting drive and gritty / throaty vocals to keep it grimy. This grease covered track has power, drive and a great hook. The tone and song writing is top notch, even the solos are so on point, keeping the energy strong. For me, it has a Corrosion of ConformityBlind” era feel to the chorus, and there ain’t NOTHING wrong with that! There’s a moment where the track holds back just a bit, but then kicks into this thick heavy chug with repetitive almost chant like vocals, very well done.

Burning of Columbia” begins with huge drum / tom work over battle type samples and the thick swell of guitars. This track takes a bit of a rest from the opener, and just lays down some serious groove and stays on point yet keeping the urgency. Vocally, at points, there has been a channeling of Neil Fallon, with the delivery and great story-telling approach. Not a rip off what so ever, so no worries. Huge walls of riffs building and throaty sung vocals run rampant throughout, takes me back to when Rich of Stuck Mojo’s sound used to fill the room!

Birminghammer” is another track just keeping it on the slow side, dragging through the muck of the South. Midway through it picks up steam and kicks it into overdrive again. Fast paced chugging and palm-muting, it just gets so dirty.  “Bruised Not Broken” hits a really heavy doom ridden stride (think Crowbar) with thick layered guitars and perfectly powerful vocals. This is the perfect track for finishing out this release, multi layers of depth and really brings the whole album together.

These guys are serious and bring a no nonsense attitude to the table, and they aren’t backing down. They will be blazing a fiery trail through the South and beyond, so be on the lookout for them when they come through.

“Let It Burn” is available here





Band info: facebook