DEAD KARMA – THE SPACE CAMARO
Originally intended as a “stoner” project, Ontario’s three-piece Dead Karma decided that was too limiting.
And while you can hear that on the opener, “The Purge,” the title track is heavier and more raw than QOTSA and the likes.
Only four songs, but there’s real potential to go with the energy of “Gravity Mirror” as singer Andrew Cannell (ex-The Oracle) also wrangles the riffs.
Indeed, such is the skill they do it with on the closing “Dominion” that you can only conclude that Dead Karma is very much alive.
Ones to watch as they motor on, if “Space Camaro” is a guide.
Rating: 8.5/10
SIEGE PERILOUS – CREATION’S CALL
Denver metal mob reckon that their goal on “Creation’s Call” was to build a world and tell a story in “three to five minutes.”
It’s a world of fantasy, as “Oathsworn” proves, where metal rules and swords are held high. “Across The Rubicon,” however, is delivered with such skill that you can’t resist getting sucked in with them.
Shaughnessy McDaniel has a brilliant “metal” voice, roaring on “Sons Of The Verdant,” and guitar duo Scott Hancock and
Cody Martinez can knock out a NWOBHM riff like it’s 1982, as the title song underlines.
“Brothers Of Five” brings the epic one last time, galloping in proper fashion, and it’ll be interesting to see how Siege Perilous develops.
This is one hell of an opening statement, mind you.
Rating: 8.5/10
DRENCHED – THE GREY (2024)
First forming in 2020, Newcastle’s Drenched have gone through the lineup changes and teething problems that all new bands go through.
It might have taken them four years, but one listen to the modern take on Grunge that is “The Change” proves perhaps they were merely waiting until they got it right.
Starting your debut EP with a six-and-a-half-minute epic is about ambition, and listening to “Cycles,” that is the overriding feeling.
It is surprising how fully formed work like “(In) Sane” sounds, and that goes too for “Tonight” and its Pearl Jam-ish riff.
In the wake of grunge, you could hear bands like this every week. Maybe this type of claustrophobic alt-rock with a soaring—if dark—intent is due for a comeback? If it is, expect Drenched to be right at the forefront.
Rating: 8/10
PRISONER – SKIES ARE BLACKENED (2024)
The Devil sends his beast with wrath, for he knows that time is short. Or something.
That might be why Calgary metallers Prisoner have followed up their January debut full-length with this EP.
And the Maiden reference at the start might have done them a disservice, actually, given that the trio of tracks showcases different sides than that.
The opener, “Skies Are Blackened,” is full-on thrash. Think early Metallica, and you aren’t far off, but the next one, “On A Sunday,” couldn’t be more different. Acoustic in the way that Alice In Chains used to be, it’s a fabulous thing.
And all of that is before “House Of Cards (The Game PT 2)” hustles into view on the back of quite a mighty gallop.
A band to look for, you evidently will not chain Prisoner.
Rating 8/10
