HERBERT
"Steppin'
Off To Eden" (Necropolis/Fueled Up Records; 2000)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Necropolis Records' new imprint Fueled Up is determined to bring 'rock'
back to the extreme scene. With Herbert, Fueled Up has a band that is too metal to be in the stoner rock genre, too earthy to be
in the metal genre, too pure to be considered 'cheesy,' too fun-loving to be considered grunge, and
it's not exactly death rock either. "Steppin' Off To Eden" is hard rock that has an edge that defies
true categorization.
Riddle me this, riddle me that; Herbert set forth with eleven slabs of ground up sonic carnage.
Overall, Herbert is reminiscent of Corrosion Of Conformity, Terra Firma, and Black Sabbath all rolled
up into one smoked-out package. Herbert plays unpretentious music from the gut;
music that seeps from the well-spring of Mother Earth and rises like a Phoenix from the sun-drenched sands of the
desert.
"Crone" rumbles like Mudhoney on steroids. "The Warsong" calls to the heathen for repenting with Iommi-like melodic single note riffs. "Voodoo Swing" rocks like a windy twister kicking up dirt. The acoustic "Pickin' Apples" provides a brief respite before delving into the fury of "Wonderlust." The disc-ending "Locust Rain" is a song that will be the band's calling card for years to come; with just enough bombast to complement their wholesome sound, Herbert have found a track that is as intoxicating as it is impressive.
"Steppin' Off To Eden" was produced by Herbert.
Herbert is Mike Anderson on guitars, Steve Ilse on drums, organ, and piano, Mason C. on bass, and Mat Fitzsimmons on vocals.
For more information visit http://www.necropolisrecords.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.
Copyright © 2000 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 28 Oct 2024 12:36:40 -0500.
