ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY


"Open Fire" (Relapse; 2007)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

The chameleon-esque Alabama Thunderpussy returns with all guns blazing on "Open Fire," the Virginia quintet's latest blistering affair. 

Changing vocalists once again, ex-Floodgate and Exhorder throatsmith Kyle Thomas mans the microphone on their latest 11-track offering, providing an edgier, grittier style spearheaded by Thomas' multitude of vocal styles which complement the unit's brand of grueling Southern boogie metal like never before. 

Retaining the slow-cooked meaty riffs and stellar fretwork of past releases with dashes of uncharted metallic brilliance, tracks like the fist-pumping "None Shall Return," the raucous "Whiskey War" and the sinewy stomp and swagger of "The Beggar" provide a hearty home cooked metal experience that only a band south of the Mason-Dixon line can deliver. 

Laying dollops of swamp metal at its finest down for your whiskey-soaked, bong-filled enjoyment, "Open Fire" is truly an album to raise hell by. 

For more information, check out http://www.atprva.com


"Fulton Hill" (Relapse; 2004)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

The southern fried metal of Alabama Thunderpussy is back, with a new throat leading the sonic charge. Heavy trucker rock has always been ATP's strong suit, and "Fulton Hill" is twleve tracks deep of gritty and driving dual guitar work backed by a thunderous rhythm section that kicks the blues out with an authoritative ass whooping. 

As for new singer Johnny Weills, let's just say that the band hasn't lost a step, as the gravel-throated projections and whiskey-soaked delivery of tracks like "Wage Slave" is a surefire indication that ATP hasn't lost an inch of footing by changing singers on the hike of Mount Rock. 

Hairy, hellacious, and heinous, ATP play rock'n'roll the way that it's intended if you grew up in Virginia and were weaned on a steady diet of Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, and Judas Priest. Horned hands salute; Alabama Thunderpussy is back with a vengeance.

For more information, check out http://www.atprva.com


"River City Revival" (Man's Ruin; 1999)alathunpuss.jpg (51525 bytes)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

This is such a killer CD. Heavy, Southern-tinged guitars that mix Molly Hatchet with KFMDM. Really. This band reminds one of a stripped down Monster Magnet or a hyper-stoned Lynyrd Skynyrd. The guitars are fuzzy and raw, the drums powerful and full of thrust; the bass solid and pounding; the vocals throat-rippingly (I hate to use the word again but it fits) raw.

Opening is "Dryspell," a song that just gets up and runs from the moment you hit "play" on your boombox. Next is "Spineless," is a slower, heavier tune that Black Sabbath may have played if they'd come from Louisiana instead of the U.K. "Heathen" is the CD's third song and it's another slow-paced one with guitars that are more lead-based than on "Spineless." (But is another song that Black Sabbath fans will find irresistible). "Mosquito"goes back to the faster pace of the first tune and "Giving Up On Living" combines the two, delivering an intense guitar punch with a rapid bass background. "Own Worst Enemy" is an almost psychedelic offering. "River City Revival" climaxes with a ass-kicking cover of The Four Horseman's "Rockin' Is My Business" that is much heavier than the original but still makes its point loud and clear: "Rockin' is My Business and Business is Good."

So is Alabama Thunder Pussy.

For more information, check out http://www.atprva.com


Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.


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Copyright ? 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08 Apr 2024 14:19:57 -0400.