There’s a Mosh Pit at the Ho-Down

Scott H. Biram– here’s a guy that knows how awesome he is and doesn’t give a flyin’ hoot about what anyone else says otherwise. The Dirty Old One Man Band is back, following his 2011 release of Bad Ingredients with Nothin’ but Blood. As expected, it covers the gamut of traditional country/blues songs, such as “Slow & Easy” and “Gotta Get to Heaven,” both of which have that home-style acoustic country singer, as well as his signature punk/metal blend. The latter erupts in “Alcohol Blues,” a great track oozing with anger over some adulterous lover.

However, the instant change from a more traditional style into fast-paced punk is slightly disorienting. “Only Whiskey” follows, during which the singer/songwriter seems to have decided “To hell with love / Whiskey is the only thing allowed in my bed with me.” “Backdoor Man” is not a cover of The Doors, but rather Biram’s own take on the ’60s blues tune by Howlin’ Wolf (originally written by Willie Dixon). This version has that old-timey blues feel and drive combined with Biram’s scratchy vocals which sound like they’ve been recorded through a CB-Radio. Very cool track.

“Church Point Girls” combines brilliant and sarcastic lyrics with some pretty awful metal throat yelling. The next track, “Around the Bend,” features that style once more, but is much better performed. When fixed to the chugging guitars and trip-tacular solo, it creates a really solid song with a pulsing beat and a chest-punching kick drive before it ends on a stereotypical country/blues solo– a sort of silly end to such a head pounding song.

A lone harmonica sucks you into one of the most heart-wrenching renditions of “Amazing Grace” ever heard. This track stands on a level all its own amongst the rest on the album. It is truly beautiful, sticking to Biram’s dirty and gritty style, combined with more CB-radio style vocal effects. The album concludes with another strong rendition of a traditional song, “John the Revelator,” which features a slick country slide guitar and vocals that can’t help but bring to mind George Thorogood.

Scott H. Biram is known for its rambunctious blend of punk, metal and country music, and his latest release, Nothin’ but Blood follows suit very nicely. This album would sound incredible blasting out of the speakers of a GMC 4×4 while thrashing through the mud. With high energy, loud, in-your-face aggression and country charm, this a great record any country music fan looking to blow off some steam.