Monstrous boogie
Ok…. It might just be stating the blindingly obvious – their singer after all goes by the name of Tommy Hardrocks – but XII Boar might not be entirely serious.
This, is (kinda) of a concept record. That is to say, that just occasionally there’s a spoken word bit about (to pinch a Metallica line) some kind of monster.
You could be forgiven for not noticing this too much, because by the time the prologue has done whatever prologues do, you’ll be too busy shaking what your mother gave ya and screaming “boogie” at anyone who wants to listen, with your horns up and your head banging.
Because, there are records that are plain and simply fun, and this is one of them. Frankly the Triclops can do whatever the bloody hell it likes as long as it lets us listen to this album, you see there’s about as much point in resisting “Beyond The Valley” as there would be trying to race Usain Bolt in Rio. It’ll beat you.
That’s just the start. “The Hustle” is bursting to rock – and adds a phenomenal harmonica lead – and, if we may be so bold, whilst MVM has never been to a party at Orange Goblin’s house, but we’d bet good money that if there was one (and there probably is) then the soundtrack is this, right here.
The whole thing is glorious, hedonistic fun and the bluesy “Strange Kinda Lonesome” is typical of the level of brilliance, and “El Mucho Grande” is proof, if it were needed, that Lemmy might not be with us, but god almighty, his spirit lives on.
“….Triclops” knows its ace, and because of this it has no intention of taking anything too seriously. “Penetrator” is like Judas Priest grooving their bollocks off, and “Abyssal Lord” is seven and a half minutes of downright filth, just because.
Even the slowed down ones are mighty. “Black And Blues” gets all primal (and coked up) and “Jupiter Aligns” comes with a gallop and guitar solo before it’s even started almost – when it does, it is perhaps the heaviest thing on offer, although “Beggars Roost” doesn’t half run it close.
All this ends with “Triclops” which is part power metal, part ludicrous, and part hardcore but wholly thrilling and you are left with a couple of thoughts. First, how does a trio sound this huge? Second: what. On. Earth. Just. Happened? But third you want to listen to it again.
Essentially if Clutch were British, got really drunk and fancied making something grandiose Neil Fallon and the boys would do this. All of which makes “Beyond The Valley Of The Triclops” one of the British releases of the year so far.
Rating 9/10
