By Kevin Koeninger
Alabama Thunderpussy has been around since 1996, having existed for most of their 10-year history without a vocalist. Their newest release, “Open Fire,” provides numerous reasons as to why.
Hailing from Richmond, Va., the self-described metal warriors recently recruited former Floodgate vocalist Kyle Thomas to complete their disquieting quintet.
From the first distortion-drenched power chords of the album’s opener, “The Cleansing,” all the way to its conclusion with “Greed,” the question of why the band added a singer begs to be asked. Worn-out mantras of suffering, death and destruction repeat themselves throughout the record, even though the band shines musically.
Perhaps it’s a bit harsh to call the addition of a vocalist a complete waste, but with songs entitled “None Shall Return” and “Whiskey War,” there’s not much here any other metal band hasn’t already covered extensively.
Some of the anguished squeals from Thomas elicit outright laughter, simply because they are so reminiscent of Jack Black and Tenacious D.
Nevertheless, there are some bright spots, provided most often by a quick turn of a phrase (“I said before I spoke the truth / Thank you for the paper trail of proof”), but let’s be honest, even Britney Spears had bright spots lyrically.
Guitarist Ryan Lake salvages the album with a prolific debut that includes a number of truly inspired guitar solos, and the sound of the album overall is very well-produced.
Lake clearly has his guitar chops in order, but he does lack a certain panache wielded by other, more established metal virtuosos.
It’s obvious that Alabama Thunderpussy has been together for a while (at least the musicians), as every complicated, lightning fast rhythmic section feels tight and a bit improvisational.
In terms of visual appeal, the band dons, not so surprisingly, long hair, beards and the staid, angry look so commonplace in the metal arena these days.
Their look has the band begging to be taken seriously, although their name seems to elicit the opposite response. The album cover of “Open Fire” sports a Mongolian warrior of some kind wielding a bloodied axe, an image that screams 80s hair metal.
The album can be examined and dissected like a decaying corpse (in keeping with the metal scene), but nothing new or noteworthy will be uncovered.
It’s a metal album, pure and simple, and that means skilled musicians often playing as fast as possible, with obligatory guitar solos and howling, often undecipherable vocals.
At the very least, the band’s name and album cover will garner a few laughs, although in the end, Alabama Thunderpussy are Black Label Society with a lesser Zakk Wylde and Black Sabbath sans Ozzy.
-Kevin Koeninger
