Simply Rockin’
As much as serious metalheads hate to admit it, metal and punk were cut from the same cloth back in the early 1970s. While the two genres have long since gone their separate ways, there are still a few bands that celebrate that long-lost brotherhood. California natives The Fucking Wrath raise that special cocktail once again with their newest EP, Terra Fire, an unstoppable blend of hardcore punk, thrash, and stoner metal.
Opening with a Sabbath-inspired grind worthy of their brothers-at-arms The Sword, Wrath quickly proves that they know how to bring the pain on “Low Brow,” bouncing effortlessly between galloping thrash and plodding sludge. “Fangs Of God” evokes the noise-punk of the 90s, feeling almost like a heavier Jesus Lizard. “Don’t Look Back” is pure old-school, coming out of the barrel at full speed and never letting up, and clocking in at under 2 minutes in true punk fashion. “Blank Slate” pays tribute to the godfathers of sludge Melvins, with vocalist Craig Kasamis doing a damn good Buzzo impression, before tipping their hats to their forbearers, Pentagram, with a faithful cover of the latter’s “Hurricane.”
The production is what one would expect for an album in the retro/stoner category: fuzzy, indistinct, loose, and perfect. Kasamis and second guitarist Brent Woodward’s tone is reminiscent of bands like Zeppelin and Blue Cheer, while bassist Nick Minasian chooses the punk route of Rancid’s Matt Freeman. The drums cut through a little better than they did back in the 70s, but this is to be expected and welcomed. Overall, a solidly recorded album.
Due to its overt and well-executed blend of multiple genres, Terra Fire will appeal to fans of hardcore punk, thrash, crossover, sludge, retro, and stoner metal. Put simply, if you are a fan of the heavy, you need only remember three words: The Fucking Wrath.
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