| Themis - Metal Invader (Greece) 07/10/2003 |
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LAZERWOLFS - "Get Mad"
(Fathead Records)
Total Time: 40:15
LAZERWOLFS is a power trio from Montana (U.S.) and although they exist as band for many years "Get Mad" is their debut full length-release. Their music can be classified (but not confined) under the "stoner" rock label and in particular closer to the FU MANCHU school of stoner rock as opposed to the KYUSS or MONSTER MAGNET schools. In other words they play an up-tempo, groove fueled, heavy, riff rock without being downtuned and they have less BLACK SABBATH influences than usual. Their riff-based hard rock embodies many influences ranging from early 70's to late 90's including many 80's metal hints, which indicate a classic metal background. Enough with the descriptions lets get to the essence, the music included in "Get Mad". The album kicks-off with "Bonfire" an absolutely extraordinary song where AC/DC meets FU MANCHU (as both aforementioned bands are two of my all-time favourites you can understand my enthusiasm) and this successful combination really gets you hooked. Chris La Tray's (bass/vocals) unusual voice surprises at first listen but after a while you get used to it and ultimately it fits with the music. After the terrific start with "Bonfire" the album continues equally well with the following tracks being varied in style and structure but consistent in quality. For example, "Elemental" starts with a SABBATH main riff (the only song in the album with heavy SABBATH references) and halfway through features a long middle section with an impressive guitar solo, which starts in a bluesy way to gradually evolve in powerful hard rock solo in an improvisational Richie Blackmore fashion. "FOTC", "Big Rig" and "Ride" are all powerful heavy riff rock dynamites, maintaining the album's high level, each one having a different personality with the band constantly band proving its high class both in terms in compositions and performance. As a result "Get Mad" is one of those albums that you do not chose tracks but instead you listen to from start to finish. The album closes with a ten-minute instrumental masterpiece, which in fact is a jam where Jimmy Rolle continuously improvises with his guitar, demonstrating his huge talent and masterful technique with continuous solos, with the rhythm section accompanying him worthily. Apart from his admirable technique his guitar playing has a lot of feeling resulting in an unimpaired high level of interest throughout, even for listeners who are not guitar players. Clearly Jimmy Rolle is a huge asset for the band as his leads, riffs and solos are excellent. Well I could go on feeling pages discussing the music and influences of the band but that has no meaning beyond giving you a good idea about the band's musical direction and sound. The essence is that LAZERWOLFS collect their influences, which span over the last three decades, blend them together, filter them through their personalities, and add their own inspiration and ideas. The result is an album full of great music, with compositions which are exceptionally good, interesting, and sound original, while the band manages to have an identity, something which is not that easy nowadays. In an age where image and marketing are of major importance, LAZERWOLFS do not seem to care about the ways of modern mediocrity, delivering an album of pure straight unvarnished rock n' roll, which is honest and sources from their heart and soul. The only negative that I can find about "Get Mad" is its short duration. I am sure that the band could easily fit a few more good songs in it as they clearly have the ability to write great stuff. Production-wise the raw, simple, no overdubs production is great and fits the band's style and attitude. Personally I would prefer the bass a little more up front in the mixing, but then again that is a matter of taste. Ultimately, LAZERWOLFS have set high standards to themselves by creating an excellent album, necessary for all fans of straight hard and heavy rock and highly recommended to old school heavy metal fans. Do yourselves a favour and get a copy of this album.
(Note: As I don't think that LAZEWOLFS have a European distributor, you can order an album via internet through the folowing distributor: "Hellride Music Superstore" at the following link:
http://www.smartcart.com/hellride/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=HM-573
or directly from the band through their site at www.lazerwolfs.com. Believe me it's worth the trouble. If you visit their site make sure to follow the "About" link and read an article about rock that I would be proud to have written myself).
Mark: 5/6
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