Wednesday 3 October 2012

Nether Regions - 'Into The Breach' (Album Review)


By: John Slaymaker

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 11/Feb/2012
Label: Abnormal Gait Records


This is a damn fine piece of work from a band that should be checked out by all and not overlooked by any!. It’ll please fans from Motorhead to Crowbar and should be on every metal heads to do list. So what are you waiting check this superb band out now.

‘Into The Breach’ CD//DD//LP track Listing

1) Into The Breach/Spanish Werewolves 5:26
2) Blood Ritual 4:20
3) Do You Live? 4:48
4) Your Name Is Madness 4:51
5) Pale Faced God 7:41
6) Alpha/Omega 4:49
7) A City Far Enough Away 5:30
8) Outrun The Sun 7:32

  
Nether Regions is:

Joe Wickstrom | Bass, vocals
Colin Stout | Guitars
Tom Pidcock | Guitars
Wade Murff | Drums

The Review:

Firstly I have to draw your attention to the cover art, a fantastically colourful piece which is also disgusting and tasteless. It seems to me anyway, to depict the band name in both senses at the same time. This is an impressive record and also originally self financed by original members Joe Wickstrom and Tom Pidcock with clean studious production.

Thundering drums, dual guitars and great use of riffs provide us with the entrance of ‘Into The Breach/Spanish Werewolves’. Vocally on this album, they sometimes resemble the sound of a yeti that has fallen down a hill and somehow attached itself to a giant cheese grater, which I think fits everything nicely. Impressive guitar chops and leads not really fitting to sludge but still make for a headbanger of a song.  ‘Blood Ritual’s guitar intro is a mellow affair and catchy as hell, taking in NWOBHM influences and 70’s rock riffs, two guitars was a good choice for this band.  ‘Do You Live’ is where the doom really comes into the sound, psychedelic and gurning. I can’t actually say they fit exactly in any genre, definitely not a copycat stoner band here.  More riffs than you can shake an axe at though, as ‘Your Name Is Madness’ meanders and mellows around itself tying itself up in riffy knots, complemented by an easier clean vocal.

‘Pale Faced God’ is another good one, over seven minutes and features an exciting breakdown, leaving you guessing where you’ll be taken next. ‘Alpha/Omega’ contains my favourite guitar work on this album, going all Yob esque, some Red Fang and even a bit of Mastodon in there as well.  ‘A City Far Enough Away’ has a very old school doom feel, with cool twin leads, and riffs to grind your teeth on. ‘Outrun the Sun’ with its eastern vibe and keyboard intro, the drums provide a steady theme and a good build up to the climax as the instruments intertwine and channel all the unspent aggression safely away.

This is a damn fine piece of work from a band that should be checked out by all and not overlooked by any!. It’ll please fans from Motorhead to Crowbar and should be on every metal heads to do list. So what are you waiting check this superb band out now.




Band info: Bandcamp | Facebook