REBEL PRIEST
"Lesson in Love"
(Batcave Records; 2022)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
I guess four track EPs are Rebel Priest's thing and here's another one, "Lesson in Love." The good news is that all four tracks are pretty damn solid and just as rough, gritty and rough-edged as the previous EP, "Lost in Tokyo."
The title track starts things off and its a raw number that's certainly listenable but doesn't offer anything new or unique. "Dive Bomber" is up next and takes things up a notch with its higher energy and sharper edge. Track 3 is "Coat Check Girl," which sounds a little like The Sex Pistols or The Rotters and features vocals with a London punk rock sneer. The final track, "Bonfire," is a weird little, less-than-two-minutes track that sounds a little bit like filler. I'll probably just skip that track on future listens. Then again, it's only a minute and 48 seconds. I guess I can spare that.
Bottom line, although I didn't enjoy "Lesson in Love" as much as I did "Lost in Tokyo," I'm still sold on Rebel Priest. Looking forward to their next four-track EP!
For more information, check out https://rebelpriest.bandcamp.com/.
"Lost in Tokyo"
(Batcave Records; 2021)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Man, I love Rebel Priest's gritty, rough-edged sound. It's like punk rock mixed with grunge mixed with metal and all churned together until it becomes something unique: Rebel Priest. This is only a four-track EP but I loved every track and, since it's only four tracks, I thought I'd go through them one-by-one.
Up first is the fast-paced title track, which sounds like a cross between Murderdolls and Wednesday 13 but with lyrics that tell the apparently true story of the band's visit to Tokyo, which they call their "favorite city in the world."
Track 2 is "Back Alley Blues," which starts out with a fat chord that burns into a driving rhythm and pays tribute to all those late night venues and the bands that play them.
"Vulgar Romance" is up next, with its jaunty riff and reminds me of an Ace Frehley track. It's pure and simple and rough and moves along at its own pace.
The final track is a cover of Slash Puppet's "When the Whip Comes Down," and Rebel Priest's version sounds bigger and nastier at the same time. It's a great way to close out the EP and does what an EP is supposed to do: Leave you wanting more.
I've read that Rebel Priest has three previous albums that I have somehow missed. I'll be rectifying that soon.
For more information, check out https://rebelpriest.bandcamp.com/.
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 © 2022 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
