Starting with the epic riffage of Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat, you can tell that things are going to be interesting, as this album by Gozu kicks off. The guitars, the drums create the image of a story being told, an image reinforced by the vocals, which pain a nice little image. The People vs Mr T starts with lead guitar spiralling, whilst the rhythm guitar pains the picture, when the vocals kick in story time starts once more, bringing something new to the fold. King Cobra is a driving song, with big riffs, and drums, a song that would get people moving when played live, elements of Layne Staley are present throughout the song. Manimal is heavy, sludge like and downright awesome. The guitars are thick, the drums are pounding and all in all things are moving like a machine.
They Probably Know Karate is driving, grooving and something of a ballsy song, the riff carries the song and builds it up as the story time begins anew. Prison Elbows is fast, furious and enchanting, a classic made for the stage. Stacy Keach has the great riff train written down to a tee, building things up and ensuring that everyone knows where they stand, with the vocals delivering a knockout. Ballad of ODB is a long song, the longest on the album, it transitions from peaceful quietness to outright sludge heaviness, with the echoing and haunting vocals to finish things off.
Be sure to purchase this album when it is released on 13th April, 2018 via Metal Blade Records.