Metal Reviews

River City Revival
ALABAMA THUNDER PUSSY

An offshoot of Nashville Pussy perhaps?

Nah, none of these guys are blonde and could look so inviting with their shirts off! I first heard of this group through my work as a DJ and just loved 'em! The presumed rebels' rise from the Deep South to light the fuse on their new release and stand back, the resulting explosion packs one hell of a wallop!

But what exactly is a "Virgil"? That's what this guy Erik Larson is associated with in the list of band member attributes. Anyway, the best of heavy rock and grind motors through the speakers strictly enforcing the latest needle-burying slant that accompanies much of the 70's blues-based craze only turned up a notch and played with plenty of concern.

Rockin' is indeed their business as evidenced by their closing cover of the under-appreciated Four Horsemen claim. and I can't help but agree-what's so GOOD about it anyway? Great cover and terrific originals in the finest C.O.C. tradition make this latest revival a thunderous addition for your next trip through the backwoods battlefield.

Released by Man's Ruin.

MAN'S RUIN RECORDS, 610 22nd Street #302, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone - (415) 865-2790 |
Fax - (415) 865-2794
Website : http://www.mansruin.com/
Email : mansruin@sirius.com

Review by Vinnie Apicella.

For crying out loud!

What's with this sly reversal with the front cover booklet and the tracklisting?

I'm over here trying to figure out which is which and goddammit don't I feel foolish!

"Crying Out Loud" is actually the first track on this new "Constellation" record by the Alabaman pistol whippers and well, does just that!

One of the Man's Ruin label's more established and advanced rock and roll revivalists wholeheartedly kick out the jams with their piledriving new release, "Constellation."

Dispersing the disorderly discharge with the best of yesterday's guitar rock grinders, this is about an album and a half's worth of in your face ambition that only lets up after you've dropped flat from exhaustion.

And for most, that'll happen right around the time "8 Shooter" plants one right between your already reddened eyes!

"Middle Finger Salute" is up to this point the best song I've yet to hear from them, and that's including everything they did on "River City Revival" a couple years back!

The grind it out heaviness belted out in all direction's actually pumps more metal than usual, and why not?

A "Middle Finger Salute" isn't meant to be anything close to subtle!

Down toned and distilled, the use of vocal distortion and all out overmodulation can be heard in most cases, and nice touch with the whole transitory vibe going on with this "1271 3108" thing.

What it means I have no idea but clearly as encompassing a song as they've done. Remember what I said about "8 Shooter" cuz they're aimin' it straight at ya with this one-another shot in the direction of early Sabbath delivered with, shall we say, a little Southern hospitality?

If "Grunge" hadn't already been invented and misused to the point of irritation several years ago, this is truly what "grunge" would encompass, right down to the faded blues and tobacco-stained tees!

"Second Wind" provides us with basically that in untypically lighter instrumental fashion that's over and done with pretty quickly so if you're gonna rise up for the second half, do it quick!

For whoever created what's become known as "Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" they've obviously never heard of Alabama Thunderpussy.

Try something like Southern dysfunction and musical discomfort!

Bred with Skynyrd-like idealism, "Constellation" is the finest example of outlaw riff-rock this side of The Four Horsemen!

Released by Man's Ruin

MAN'S RUIN RECORDS, 610 22nd Street #302, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone - (415) 865-2790 |
Fax - (415) 865-2794
Website : http://www.mansruin.com/
Email : mansruin@sirius.com

Review by Vinnie Apicella