Adrenechrome: Tales from Adrenechrome

Anyone who listens to Dave Brubeck and to heavy metal will probably smile at the song title "Black Brubeck." Here's a song that not only connects metal and jazz, but does so in ways that nod playfully to that master musician. If you pick up this album, make sure you put on "Black Brubeck." The opening is solid—I swear there's even a banjo jamming behind the guitars somewhere in there. It's a killer track, one worth checking out.

Most of the tracks on this album show off a similar playful ambition. The guys in this band seem to know music well enough that every riff plays off of other bands, other sounds, and other players. I often listened to the music here wondering what other styles and sounds were being channeled. The band points to Clutch and Van Halen and Thin Lizzy, but there is simply no way to name check them all. This is music inspired by a huge record collection. I was especially impressed with the playful, memorable, and intricate guitar parts. From start to finish, they have that quality that I've heard described as "angular." I'm not sure that's the best word, but it's one that's meant to capture the way some guitarists play with scales and licks in ways that keep things moving forwards, backwards, and sideways. It's angular! Think of the guitar parts on early Mastodon tracks and you'll get the idea.

Tim Kehoe's leads are cool in so many ways and they sound even better when joined by Chris Friesen's equally impressive playing. This band deserves some comparison to the aforementioned Mastodon, but this band has a much different overall spirit. They certainly play off of Mastodon's exciting guitar parts, but I would argue that the overall songwriting isn't quite as strong. No matter; what the band lacks in powers of composition they make up for in overall sense of humor and raw talent. The vocals weren't bad, but they did lack some of the wacky energy of the music as a whole. These are minor quibbles. This is solid stuff. Check out the album art, too. I love the old-school comic feel it uses.

Recommended for fans looking for something a little off beat but always solid.

Track Listing:
1. A Familiar Face
2. Lockstep
3. Black Brubeck
4. God Sized Shadow
5. The Heart and the Feather
6. Hideous Appetites
7. The Lead Elephant

Added: November 17th 2015
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1591
Language: english

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