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Right out of the gate Alabama Thunderpussy charges with a swiftness towards your eardrums and psyche, probably not unlike the viking adorning the album cover.... The Richmond, Virginia band's latest offering, Open Fire, is massive, groovy, and catchy as all Hell, frankly. New blood Kyle Thomas (Exhorder, Floodgate, and others) provides something more than vocal chords with his debut ATP contribution -- methinks his very soul has been mainlined into the band. Imagine if the diminutive Danzig was a son of the South who digested all forms of 70s hard rock boogie and you get awfully close. A more accomplished Phil Rind (Sacred Reich) crossed with a slightly more subdued Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) is also invoked throughout the album's 11 songs.
The guitars seem to be secondary to the vocals in the mix, and while this can be a bit distracting, they are still crushing both in terms of riffs and leads. The drumming is more than capable and the bass work is killer. Overall this is definitely a rocking affair and if Staring at the Divine was your only previous exposure to the band, as it was for this writer, give 'em another listen 'cause they'll easily convert ya, son. Somewhere between the bestial stomp of the almighty Black Sabbath and the sour mash soaked swagger of Lynyrd Skynyrd lies Open Fire. I wonder if Kyle has come full circle since this release necessarily recalls Down and we all know about the tail chasing the dog in terms of that tired and hackneyed Pantera/Exhorder argument.... This rawks!
Stand out tracks include all of 'em, really, but the titular one is the jam with even a little Mastodon creeping in there.
| Tracklist |
| 1. The Cleansing |
| 2. Void Of Harmony |
| 3. Words Of The Dying Man |
| 4. The Beggar |
| 5. None Shall Return |
| 6. Whiskey War |
| 7. A Dreamer's Fortune |
| 8. Valor |
| 9. Open Fire |
| 10. Brave The Rain |
| 11. Greed |
: 42.54
| Buy other Alabama Thunderpussy albums |
