Speeed
Powertrip Pigs
6.9
Ministry style simple repeated riffs over somewhat industrial styled beats swerving into a Pantera styled southern metal sludginess -then completely detouring into almost Skid Row territory. Successful? Yeah, I would say so, for what it is. Compelling? Maybe. Maybe if you are in my age group and are still wearing Alice in Chains tour shirts under plaid button ups. I mean, if this were ‘92 I would be shoving this record down anyone’s throat within reaching distance. It’s that good, in context. And maybe in our present context. There is nothing wrong with this kind of metal, certainly. Being dated has never held back any other styles.
Let’s go on the assumption that you are pining for some slower paced, somewhat melodic metal in the above mentioned vein. That being the case, you are in for a treat. The songs are of varying hookiness, and don’t rely too much on any one trick. You can get a little Prong, a little White Zombie or a little COC at various points in this album. You can get a throaty roar or an almost Staleyesque groaning, and even an Extreme vocal approach to actual melodic singing. Sometimes the songs pummel away, sometimes they ooze along. The riffing is very simple, leaving lots of space for the rhythm section to screw around. It’s not always successful, and sometimes it’s fucking embarrassing…but at least the band never goes with a single cliché long enough to make the whole experience pathetic.
As far as production, it’s very very 1990. The drums are enormous, the guitars and vocals echoed and flanged, giving it an arena rock quality. But considering the method it works in the band’s favor. It’s a quality job, whether you like this style of recording or not. All the musicians are above average in skill and in performance.
Bottom line: This is a nostalgia trip. Maybe it’s the tip of another flashback trend. I hope not. I hate those. It’s fun in small doses, but wave after wave of retro worshiping high school/frat kids I can certainly live without. As a single recording to dive into this is, if nothing else, fun. I don’t think I want more records like this, but I think I do want this one. So I recommend this, with an enormous caveat that it is NOT going to compare favorably with the Mastodons, Devolveds, Benighteds or Amentas of the modern era. But it does compare favorably with - and even triumphantly slaughters - the hack melotalcoremosymphonoblack bands that whitewash the rest of the scene these days, using nothing more than simple infectious fun. And for that reason alone you should give them a chance.
PS…a Christopher Cross cover song done in perfect 80‘s cheesecore? Consider the deal sealed. Ride like the Wind, motherfuckers, Ride like the goddamned Wind!
