Saturday 16 August 2014

Lonley Kamel - Shit City (Album Review)


Album Type: Album
Date Released: Sept 01st UK/Sept 03rd ESP
Label: Napalm Records

Shit City - track listing:

1. Shit City
2. White Lines
3. Is It Over
4. I Feel Sick
5. Seal The Perimeter
6. Freezing
7. BFD
8. Nightjar
9. Falling Down

Band Members

Thomas Brenna ¤ vocals & guitar
Lukas Paulsen ¤ guitar & backing vocals
Stian Helle ¤ bass
Espen Nesset ¤ drums

Review:

Lonely Kamel hail from Oslo, but their music is by way of 1970's London. Their latest release, Shit City, hits hard under clouds of thick fuzz and dank smoke. The band clearly had a blast writing and recording this record, but their fun didn't get in the way of some killer groves and tight musicianship.

The eponymous Shit City starts things off with a driving punk-rock vibe, reminiscent of Sugar Fix-era Dwarves, and rolls right into White Lines, a Clutch-esque hard rock track. The tone shifts gears with Is It Over as the guitars become haunting and atmospheric. The song is a slow-burn into hard-rock land.

Zepplin-style riffs hammer hard in I feel Sick, a song that seems to exemplify what Lonely Kamel does best. While they never stick to the same formula every time (thankfully), Sick seems to be the sweet spot of all that they do. It grooves, rocks and screams all at the same time. Next, Seal the Perimeter burns slow, taking the tempo down and laying out the heaviest riffs on the album.

Freezing brings in high-fantasy themed vocals and catchy classic rock riffs. The grooves step up into upbeat, hip-swinging bop with BFD. In a good way, BFD reminds me of the uptempo Jet records that made them famous. Falling Down ends everything with an almost contemplative jam, thick with fuzz and pretty breakdowns that set the stage for a big finish.

Shit City is a boot-tapping, rollicking album of blues oriented stoner rock. The record showcases some fantastic guitar tones and a thick, but clear bass backbone. There are heavy doses Zepplin throughout, from screaming, soulful vocals to thick grooves. Fans of bands like Red Fang and the Sword should definitely check these guys out.

Written by Ben Bowman

Thanks to Mona at Napalm Records for sending us a promo to review. Shit City will be available to buy from the dates below via Napalm Records on CD/DD/Vinyl.

Release Dates:

27.08.2014 NOR/SWE
29.08.2014 G/A/S, BENELUX & FIN
01.09.2014 UK & Rest of Europe
03.09.2014 ESP

Check the Band from Links Below