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HELLBOUND SONS The Sound and the Fury( Independent)
With a name like Hellbound Sons, it just screams rebellious rock’ n’ roll. Formed in 2020, Chicago rockers Hellbound Sons combine a hybrid of’ 70s rock elements— la Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath— with’ 80s metal influences in the vein of W. A. S. P. and L. A. Guns on their 10-track debut full-length album The Sound and the Fury. Hellbound Sons, featuring gravelythroated vocalist Mark Crowley, bluesy guitarist
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Rick Morrissey( Instant Kafka), and the boogiewoogie rhythm section of bassist Scott McDaniel( Usurper) and drummer Joe Schaeffer( Usurper, Bones), deliver 32 minutes of raucous hard rock / heavy metal. Album opener“ Settle the Score” encapsulates all the above influences, while also including classic metal elements. However,“ Seethe” moves slightly into grunge / alt metal territory with slamming riffs and a snotty attitude.“ Death Sentence Blues” boasts sleazy guitar leads and a swaggering drum beat, while the L. A. Guns-inspired“ Night King” delivers an invigorating opening buildup and a memorable chorus. Deeper musical influences are evident in the Rob Zombie-esque“ Mark of the Witch” and the punk / rockabilly anthem“ Atomic Itch.” Album closer“ Blow Me Away” ends on a high note with retro / stoner rock elements in the vein of Monster Magnet and Hanoi Rocks. Every track is tightly constructed, with reasonable run times— some tracks coming in under three minutes— making the memorability and accessibility factors even more enjoyable. The Sound and the Fury does an admirable service to several different genres while also paying proper homage to the band’ s influences. Plus, the album was recorded at Electrical Audio Studios— the studio of the late Chicago producer / musician Steve Albini— by |
Taylor Hales and mastered at Sage Audio in Nashville, giving it a genuinely edgy character.
– Kelley Simms
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LUCIUS Lucius( Wildewoman Music, LLC)
California( by way of Brooklyn) indie pop quartet Lucius knows how to tell emotional stories throughout its 11-track, self-titled fourth studio album. Featuring female duo lead vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig— joined by drummer Dan Molad and guitarist Peter Lalish— Lucius possesses a great knack for creating tearful-yet-joyous compositions. Musically influenced by singer-songwriters, pop, and Americana, the band has built a strong friendship
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by creating songs as a form of therapy. Each track is based on personal experiences that resonate with a wide range of people. Recorded in the band’ s home studios, the album was produced and mixed by their drummer Dan Molad and mastered by Emily Lazar at The Lodge. The album opener,“ Final Days,” immediately sets the emotional tone by incorporating heartfelt lyrics with emotive melodies. At the same time, the ' 80s / new wave-ish, pop-infused“ Gold Rush” hits the heart with its sugary sweet vocal harmonies and its catchy chorus in the style of Blondie, Goldfrapp, and ABBA. Throughout the album, the band takes the shape of a musical chameleon, seamlessly morphing into various genres, such as the synth-laden / electronic influences on“ Do It All For You,” while“ Mad Love” veers into country-pop territory, in the vein of The Judds. All the while, the band remains focused on those vibrant and uplifting vocal harmonies and great storytelling. There’ s equally great instrumentation as well, with the implementation of the Rhodes organ on the intro of“ Stranger Danger” and the flanged, reverb guitar melodies of“ Hallways.” Meanwhile, the jazzy / funky drum beat of“ Impressions” juxtaposes well with the somber and melancholic“ Borderline.” Ending with the lighthearted Americana-infused“ At The End of The Day,” the song’ s reflective lyrics and poignant phrases are bolstered by the dramatic orchestral elements, bringing a close to a diverse and invigorating album. 9
– Kelley Simms Continued on page 10 10
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