Goat Horn – ‘Storming the Gates’
(October 32nd Records)
This album
from Canadian headbangers Goat Horn sounds like something that was recorded in
1982 and sent through a wormhole to appear in the present. That’s right around
the time that bands like Venom, Exciter, and Mercyful Fate were putting out
their first albums. Like those bands, Goat Horn plays a style of heavy metal
that feels like a transitional phase between the NWOBHM (bands like Motorhead
and early Iron Maiden) and the thrash that would follow shortly thereafter.
It’s raw and slightly punk sounding but at the same time melodic and full of
tasty guitar licks. The style may have been done before, but Goat Horn
nonetheless play it well and with a fairly unique sound. Aside from good
original material like “Gates of Oppression” and “Storming In” the band also
turns in a fine cover version of the Sacrifice song “Re-Animation”. And fuck
anyone who wants to say this is “dated”. If bands aping sixties Detroit rock
can be treated like the second coming, then this at least deserves a listen.
Metal fans who miss the sort of bands that had hooks and distinctive vocalists
while still kicking ass should find this right up their alley. Order a copy
from October 32nd's website. (Bob
Ignizio)
If you like
light hearted alterna pop bands like They Might Be Giants, The Blake Babies, or
The Beatnik Termites you’ll definitely want to check out the self titled debut
from this Cleveland band. Kiddo’s upbeat pop songs are fun and infectious and
just too cute to be real. The quality of the vocals can really make or break
this kind of music, and Kiddo has two excellent singers in Christian Doble (also
guitar) and Liz Whitman (also bass), especially when they harmonize. But the
band’s secret weapon is the powerhouse drumming of Greg Hyland which gives them
just enough of a rock edge to keep them from sounding wimpy. “You’re Not Who
You Said You Were”, “Amy” and “Surfin’ Through” are my personal picks. Like
everything else on here they’re catchy as hell but they also rock out. I’m a
little less into the quiet numbers like “1992” and “The Greg Song” but that’s
more a matter of personal taste than anything. Hey, whaddaya expect from
someone whose favorite bands are Black Sabbath and The Misfits? That said, the
fact that Kiddo can win over even a guy like me says something. Chalk it up to
good song writing. This shouldn't be too hard to find, but if you want you can
order a copy at Kiddo's website.
(Bob Ignizio)
The Last
Call Brawlers are surprisingly original for a band that plays rockabilly.
That’s because they don’t really care about satisfying the purists. They just
follow their own instincts and wind up sounding modern and retro at the same
time. For the most part the guitars have that vintage sound with just the right
amount of reverb and twang. And forget about El-Vez, crooner Marty Muerto is
the real Mexican Elvis. But the arrangements on songs like “She’s Got it” and
“Nothing New” are a far cry from the formula laid down by guys like Jerry Lee
Lewis and Carl Perkins. There’s a definite punk influence, but in a different
way than the harder rockin’ psychobilly subgenre. That’s not to say that The
Brawlers don’t rock; they do, just not in the same way as Reverend Horton Heat
or the like. Good songs, excellent production, and a genuinely fresh take on an
old sound. What more could you want? You can order a copy at the Rock 'n' Roll
Purgatory website. (Bob
Ignizio)
The Low Budgets – ‘Go For
Broke’ (Akhenation Music/Schuylkill Records)
Good old
fashioned sixties garage rock. That’s what The Low Budgets trade in on songs
like “Ripped Off”, “Caveman”, and “Come Back”. It’s simple, primitive stuff
with that primal groove that makes bands like The Sonics still sound fresh
today. This band boasts ex-Dead Milkmen guitarist Joe Jack Talcum, although
here he provides the super cheesy keyboard sounds. For the most part The Low
Budgets don’t recall Joe’s previous band (mainly because vocalist/guitarist
Chris does most of the writing) but “Poseur Punker” probably comes closest.
“Rock ‘n’ Rollers (You can’t Control the)” has a little of that feel in the
middle as well, although it’s mostly a straight forward garage rock song. About
my only real complaint is the production might be a bit too slick for the
style. It ain’t like Mutt Lange was twiddlin’ the knobs, but I get the feeling
that live these songs sound a bit uglier, which is a good thing in my book.
Still, this is a decent release. You can download a few songs from the band’s
website to get a better idea before
buying. (Bob Ignizio)
This album
from Canadian headbangers Goat Horn sounds like something that was recorded in
1982 and sent through a wormhole to appear in the present. That’s right around
the time that bands like Venom, Exciter, and Mercyful Fate were putting out
their first albums. Like those bands, Goat Horn plays a style of heavy metal
that feels like a transitional phase between the NWOBHM (bands like Motorhead
and early Iron Maiden) and the thrash that would follow shortly thereafter.
It’s raw and slightly punk sounding but at the same time melodic and full of
tasty guitar licks. The style may have been done before, but Goat Horn
nonetheless play it well and with a fairly unique sound. Aside from good
original material like “Gates of Oppression” and “Storming In” the band also
turns in a fine cover version of the Sacrifice song “Re-Animation”. And fuck
anyone who wants to say this is “dated”. If bands aping sixties Detroit rock
can be treated like the second coming, then this at least deserves a listen.
Metal fans who miss the sort of bands that had hooks and distinctive vocalists
while still kicking ass should find this right up their alley. Order a copy
from October 32nd's 
If you like
light hearted alterna pop bands like They Might Be Giants, The Blake Babies, or
The Beatnik Termites you’ll definitely want to check out the self titled debut
from this Cleveland band. Kiddo’s upbeat pop songs are fun and infectious and
just too cute to be real. The quality of the vocals can really make or break
this kind of music, and Kiddo has two excellent singers in Christian Doble (also
guitar) and Liz Whitman (also bass), especially when they harmonize. But the
band’s secret weapon is the powerhouse drumming of Greg Hyland which gives them
just enough of a rock edge to keep them from sounding wimpy. “You’re Not Who
You Said You Were”, “Amy” and “Surfin’ Through” are my personal picks. Like
everything else on here they’re catchy as hell but they also rock out. I’m a
little less into the quiet numbers like “1992” and “The Greg Song” but that’s
more a matter of personal taste than anything. Hey, whaddaya expect from
someone whose favorite bands are Black Sabbath and The Misfits? That said, the
fact that Kiddo can win over even a guy like me says something. Chalk it up to
good song writing. This shouldn't be too hard to find, but if you want you can
order a copy at Kiddo's 
The Last
Call Brawlers are surprisingly original for a band that plays rockabilly.
That’s because they don’t really care about satisfying the purists. They just
follow their own instincts and wind up sounding modern and retro at the same
time. For the most part the guitars have that vintage sound with just the right
amount of reverb and twang. And forget about El-Vez, crooner Marty Muerto is
the real Mexican Elvis. But the arrangements on songs like “She’s Got it” and
“Nothing New” are a far cry from the formula laid down by guys like Jerry Lee
Lewis and Carl Perkins. There’s a definite punk influence, but in a different
way than the harder rockin’ psychobilly subgenre. That’s not to say that The
Brawlers don’t rock; they do, just not in the same way as Reverend Horton Heat
or the like. Good songs, excellent production, and a genuinely fresh take on an
old sound. What more could you want? You can order a copy at the Rock 'n' Roll
Purgatory 
Good old
fashioned sixties garage rock. That’s what The Low Budgets trade in on songs
like “Ripped Off”, “Caveman”, and “Come Back”. It’s simple, primitive stuff
with that primal groove that makes bands like The Sonics still sound fresh
today. This band boasts ex-Dead Milkmen guitarist Joe Jack Talcum, although
here he provides the super cheesy keyboard sounds. For the most part The Low
Budgets don’t recall Joe’s previous band (mainly because vocalist/guitarist
Chris does most of the writing) but “Poseur Punker” probably comes closest.
“Rock ‘n’ Rollers (You can’t Control the)” has a little of that feel in the
middle as well, although it’s mostly a straight forward garage rock song. About
my only real complaint is the production might be a bit too slick for the
style. It ain’t like Mutt Lange was twiddlin’ the knobs, but I get the feeling
that live these songs sound a bit uglier, which is a good thing in my book.
Still, this is a decent release. You can download a few songs from the band’s
