ION INDIE MAGAZINE September 2015, Volume 16 | Page 136

CD Review by Leslie Hadaway This is a great local Doom Metal band that I have been waiting to show the world. DOGBANE first came on the scene in 2010 with their first release “Residual Alcatraz” and released their first single “Ride the Serpent”. In listening to “Residual Alcatraz”, versus their sophomore album “When Karma Comes Calling”, I would dare say that it’s a great continuation of a story that started with their first album. The whole idea behind “Residual Alcatraz” is a person who has been controlled or manipulated, who has come out of a bad situation, a personal Alcatraz, and who still feels how it’s affected them. The song “Banished” is a great representation of what this album is about. The band has grown as a creative unit. “When Karma Comes Calling” has a vastly different feel. In listening to the title track, “When Karma Comes Calling”, one could really hear the difference. This is one of their best to date. “Warlord”, the first track off of the new release, has a great aggressive and gritty sound, but the real star of the CD is the song “Devil By the Horns”--it really shows off the vocal range off lead singer JEFF NEAL. One thing that I really love about this band, is that they have really come into their own. Dogbane, as stated earlier, are all local boys from Greensboro and Mocksville, NC. Featuring MITCHELL ALLRED on guitar, JERRY CLOER--a beast on drums, KEVIN DAVIS--playing low and slow on bass, Jeff Neal on vocals and JEFF RINEHART--also on guitars. We have a great local scene here in North Carolina; chock full of amazing talent. Dogbane is no exception! If you are into bands like KING DIAMOND, TESTAMENT, PENTAGRAM, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, SAXON, THIN LIZZY and MOTÖRHEAD--among others--then Dogbane is the band for you. I have seen these guys in action at the world famous TREMONT MUSIC HALL in Charlotte, North Carolina…they are the real deal! Catch Dogbane at THE BLIND TIGER in Greensboro on September 12th--along with another great local band, SHADOW OF MYSELF--with CHEMICAL YOUTH, KINGS OF SPADE, THE PRETTY UGLY and KINGS X. https://dogbane1.bandcamp.com/album/when-karma-comes-calling https://m.facebook.com/Dogbane