Hmm, artwork of a stoned shade wearing Egyptian mummy and a double punning title of ‘Highrospliffics’, eh? It can only be the return of Groan, ending a period of relative quiet with a stonker of a four track EP. Proceedings open with a battering bass line and a guitar riff promising darkness and gloom, before Mazzareth’s distinctive vocals pile into the mix, the swaggering beat and lyrics perfectly matching the title of ‘Run Out of Fucks’. Without a doubt, a strong return, and one that just grabs the listener by the throat whilst screaming loudly in their face “we’re back!”
‘Witchfinder General Finder’ follows hard, heavy, and rocky, like an up tempo tribute to Cathedral’s signature tune, with tongue firmly planted in cheek to help turn any frown upside down, the same spirit of mischief weaving itself through the ‘March of the Druids’, a hook laden, fist pumping, foot stomping beast of a track practically tailor made to wake up the most bleary eyed of inebriates at a gig and have them head banging away. It’s a facet of Groan’s work that their collective comedic persona almost covers up that they write bloody good tunes that many a po faced act would be jealous of, and for that they can only be commended. The EP rounds off with the far faster paced ‘Buried in Leather’, an ode to Metal with a capital “M”, served up with lashings of NWOBHM riffing, a screaming solo, and lyrics straight from the Rob Halford book of clichés; horn throwingly good stuff!
After a far too quiet year, those 67% pure party doom merchants are back doing what they do best, having a laugh and spreading joy with an infectiousness that if it were a disease, would wipe out the whole world! For an added bonus, they’re even insistent on releasing it as a name your price download venture! Don’t be tight, throw them some cash so they can get back on the road and share the fun.
(8/10 Spenny)
18/03/2015 at 12:47 pm
The shirt design’s pretty groovy too folks. Check them out and throw the band some wonga.