A solid hard rock album

Big Business’ sixth studio album The Beast You Are is filled with your very typical hard rock/metal songs, but that isn’t a bad thing at all. In a time where many groups try and experiment with sound and style, it’s refreshing to have a group that knows what sound works for them, and chooses to follow that sound. The group currently consists of Jared Warren on bass and lead vocals, and Coady Willis on drums and backing vocals, and the two compliment each other perfectly. It’s a longer record, with thirteen songs, but it never feels stale, and it is ultimately what can be described as a very solid album.

The album begins with “Abdominal Snowman,” which is a funny play on words. The song doesn’t take long at all before launching into a catchy drumbeat and Warren’s vocals that are the perfect balance of being both melodic and yelling. The lyrics aren’t very direct, but they do seem to be about the mania of life. “Nobody’s safe and they’re all omnivores/ come every season/ I some people who are cutting / away with the dullest knives.” It’s a strong song to start the album as it sets the tone for what’s to come. The next song is “Heal the Weak,” a longer song coming in at 5:06. What stands out about “Heal the Weak” is how well Warren and Willis’ vocals work together. They are able to create an almost ominous sound to their vocals. Also, the guitar throughout is spectacular.

The Beast You Are is a long album (even when you take out the three musical interludes) so it’s hard to pick what songs are the best on it. However, “Time and Heat,” “The Moor You Know” and “Last Family” are worth mentioning. “Time and Heat” starts with some ominous synthesizer, before launching into a unique guitar riff, complemented beautifully by Warren’s vocals. “The Moor You Know” starts with some fantastic deep bass that sends shivers down the listener’s spine. The more high-pitched vocals offset the deep instrumentation perfectly, creating a lot of emotion with just that simple combination. It is arguably the strongest song on the album, as it’s psychedelic, artistic and pure great rock. Finally, “Last Family” is a much more standard song, but like the album itself, standard isn’t bad at all. The guitar throughout is solid, the vocals are strong and when the deep metal screams come in at the middle of the song, it definitely wraps it together.

The album ends with “Let Them Grind,” another drum-heavy song, but one where the drums almost overpower the vocals, causing the listener to truly focus on them. Willis is an impressive drummer, and to end the album on his talent was a great choice.

The Beast You Are can be purchased now and Big Business are currently touring the US.