Saturday 8 November 2014

RHIN - Bastard (Album Review)

Bastard cover art

Album Type: Album
Date Released: December 01st 2014
Label: Grimoire Records

Bastard – Track Listing

1.Ted's Shed
2.Bull Doze
3.Gravy
4.Shovel
5.I Want More
6.Man is Bastard 03:27
7.Consumed

Bio

RHIN is a new garage rock/punk band from West Virginia featuring members of Domino & the Two Ton Rhinos, The Demon Beat, Black Blizzard, Bishops, and nonhealer.

Members

Dominic
Ben
Tucker

Review:

Rhin debut album - Bastard - is one violent jolt of fast-paced Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs that will entertain you for the next 30 mins or so. Short album. Yeah. But what an exhilarating and exciting rush this album is. Rhin aren't going to change the world with their music but they more than make that up with a sound that has traces of hardcore running through it's veins.

Opening track - Ted's Shed - is a playful and frenzied encounter with the guitars plugged into the heavier lo-fi punk sound with Torche style theatricals with The Melvins crazed Sludge Metal sound. The vocals even though clean based have a distorted angry noise-rock feel that wouldn't go amiss from a Melvins record. Ted's Shed ventures from Noise Rock, Sludge and Stoner for it's fast paced running time that opens your mind to these weird and 'wonderful warped scuzz-rockers.

Second track - Bull Doze - is aptly names as Rhin once again lay down riffs like a dangerous predator looking for it's next victim. Rhin expertly crank up the tension with some blazing punk fuelled antics especially where the lyrics are concerned. Rhin may not seem the most sophisticated bands around but listen carefully as you can hear some expertly played riffs that have a slight progressive feel to them. Rhin's sound starts to venture into more Noise Rock territory with 3rd track - Gravy - that moulds Punk, Sludge, Noise, Stoner and Hard Rock into volatile cocktail waiting to explode at any second.

Gravy has a thumping bass line, which gives this song a messy chaotic DIY vibe, and I mean that as a compliment as it shows that Rhin are not afraid to experiment with their sound. It may leave some listeners a bit cold with the change of sounds happening at different times of the album. With an album called - BASTARD - what did you expect? A band covering nursery rhymes or religious tunes. Of course not. Rhin play low, mean, and dirty chaotic sludge/punk where the riff is king and everything comes a distant second. 4th track - Shovel - is one the albums standout tracks which sees Rhin snarl their way through heavier frenzied distorted sludge-fuzz to wake the entire world to. The production on the album is superb throughout as this is one very loud album from start to finish. Everything on this album has a purpose. And that purpose is to ROCK OUT!!!

Rhin are one of those bands who have no problem fitting in with the Hardcore Punk crew or the Sludge/Stoner crew as their sound will appeal to both sets of fans. Rhin leave the best song till last with the 10:22 minute epic - Consumed - that plays out like a lo-fi fuzz drenched punk sludge/stoner nightmarish journey that is packed with sonic terror. It has a thought-provoking social awareness that gives the album a more unsettling vibe compared to the earlier tracks.

Rhin slow things right down near the middle of Consumed with the vocals moving to a more tender caring sound, which show compassion for the very first time. Though the music still has a sense of danger around them. Rhin's debut album was a complete surprise to me as I wasn't expecting much at first but Rhin impressed me in a big way with this excellent debut album. It's a loud, noisy and violent affair where chaos reigns supreme. Awesome stuff.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grimoire Records for sending us a promo. The album will be available to buy from December 1st 2014.

For more information