Rough Edge: Slough Feg CD Reviews

SLOUGH FEG

"Ape Uprising!" (Cruz Del Sur; 2009)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Veteran underground traditional metal outfit Slough Feg have been known to walk a bit on the wild side throughout the course of their twenty plus year proto-metal existence and this unit’s latest release bares no exception.

Interspersing the squad’s patented eccentricities with a confident swagger straight out of 1978 for all to see, the triumphant and tumultuous eight-track endeavor "Ape Uprising" takes it back to a time when metal was still in its gestation stage, slugging it out with punk rock rebellion and glam rock excess.

Customarily springing from an impenetrable foundation of Sabbath, Maiden, and Thin Lizzy, Slough Feg have comprised a sci-fi concept album based around a simian overtaking of the world to a pulsating old school metal soundtrack laden with the sort of killer vintage tones and stellar musicianship that marvelously melds the dazzling twin guitar and pounding rhythmic wares of UFO, Judas Priest, and other luminaries from the seminal NWOBHM days.

Slough Feg’s most recent disc renders a durable and dependable lesson in metal with a smorgasbord of exhilarating twists and turns along the way.

You can find out more about the band at http://www.sloughfeg.com.

"Hardworlder" (Cruz Del Sur; 2007)

Reviewed by Metal Mark

This is the sixth album from San Francisco based Slough Feg. In many ways they sound as though they are from another time. That time would be somewhere around the early 1980s as they are very much focused on that sound.

I think this approach has a big plus side and a small minus. First, Slough Feg are very much as pure a metal band as I have heard in recent years. They don't waste any notes and their music comes across as being very genuine. In other words, no filler whatsoever. The music is primarily medium to medium fast, but they heap a whole pile of pace changes on as they twist and wind their way through the tracks. I love how many of the tracks plunge straight into the mix instead of taking their time to get started.

I had a little trouble with the vocals of Mike Scalzi at first because, although they are clean and audible, the style is perhaps more restrained then I normally like. However, they have grown on me and, perhaps most importantly, they work with the music so I can't argue with that.

The main influence I hear is early Iron Maiden, say about '81-'84, with those great flowing riffs and a the tight rhythm section playing off one another. I also hear some late 70s-early 80s Thin Lizzy, early Saxon and maybe some pre-"Fighting the World" era Manowar.

Now, granted, someone like myself who constantly writes about music from the past should be thrilled about an album devoted to the past. Well, I am, but I still can't help but wish that Slough Feg had blended some more recent styles in as well just because I think it may add yet another level to their music. No doubt that this a fantastic release, but it just seems like they are trying so hard to not let any part of this album sound like it could have been done after 1983 or 1984. This is a small quibble though as I have listened to this album almost every day since I got it and my appreciation for it has grown with each listen.

I think fans of NWOBHM and classic style early 1980s metal would really appreciate Slough Feg's "Hardworlder."

You can find out more about the band at http://www.sloughfeg.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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