Album
Type: Full Length
Date
Released: 20/4/2015
Label:
Self Released
‘Things
Never Change’ CD//DD track listing:
1). Street Zombies
2). My Jihad is Against my Head
3). Dope Fiend Jesus
4). Homegrown Terrorist
5). Fucked Up (All I’ll Ever Be)
6). 15 Years of Counting
7). Smoke More Crack
Hellrad
is:
Dirty Dave | vocals/samples/noise
Mike Hook | guitar
Herb Jowett | bass
Robert Lepor | drums
Mike Hook | guitar
Herb Jowett | bass
Robert Lepor | drums
Review:
Philadelphian
sludge with a crusty edge to it, this seven track album is very unpleasant.
Eyehategod could be a starting point- especially taking into account such song
titles as “Smoke More Crack”. “Street
Zombies” starts purposefully with a sinister riff and a grimy production job
that is raw and loud. The vocals, when they appear are distorted and nasty.
“My Jihad is Against my Head” is a
lumbering groove and is an unholy noise in every respect. “Dope Fiend Jesus” is
just feral with its insistent riffing and utilisation of quiet/loud dynamics. “Home
Grown Terrorist” is as you would expect it to sound- nice stop start riffing
here, along with a nice bass led break down too.
“Fucked Up (All I’ll Ever Be)” has some
stoner-ish riffs along with the main course of sludge and a cool solo section
to go with it- good time change too. “15 Years and Counting” provides six
minutes plus of uneasy listening and creepy riffs that really sum up the
hopeless mood of this record. There are some sections which reminded me a little
of Helmet too- staccato riffs with groove. Excellent! The aforementioned “Smoke
More Crack” finishes this opus of horror in fine threatening style. The album
is a harrowing listen.
Put
simply, if you like EHG, Iron Monkey and even the pale imitators of those bands
treading the boards at the moment, you will enjoy this. It is feral,
aggressive, noisy, sludge of the best quality. You might feel like taking a
shower afterwards, though.
Words by: Richard Maw
‘Things
Never Change’ can be purchased here
For more
information:
