VOLUME I - The Devil Rides Out (self released)
VOLUME II - The Devil Rides Out (self released)
VOLUME III - The Devil Rides Out (self released)
"Stoner" is a tag that sends me out in search of strong black coffee and a punk rock record. The name infers turgid riffing, leaden rhythms and those stoopid gated vocals with inane Stonehenge lyrics one step removed from (gulp) prog rock. Music that's fucking dumb with no redeeming humour or humanity - and music that's too stupid to care. So it cheers me to hear a West Australian band that dispels much of that.
Genres are idiotic other than as a general frame of reference. So let's call this "heavy cock rock" and be done with it. It's music that wears black T-shirts 24/7 and dark sunnies, smokes roll-your-owns and drinks Jack and Coke. It's also played with energy and a sense of knowing when it's being too pompous for its own good. Now there's a relief.
These "albums" are six-song EPs released over the space of more than a year. I'm easily leaning towards "Volume III" being the pick of the litter, simply on the strength of its superior production and better songs.
The collection's not without its missteps (the drum solo on "Demons" from "Volume II" had my remote control finger itching) but there's usually something like the sprightly "Tonight I Might" to redeem things. Even that one, lyrically speaking, is the retard kid at the back of the class with clunkers like "There is a girl I want to fuck" etc.
Bassist Ben Franz and guitarist Andrew Ewing appear to be the driving forces on the production side and although the songs are uncredited it's a fair bet they have a bit to do with them as well. Alien Smith does the job on "Volume III" and it's a sonic step-up.
"Volume III" is where it's at with a far bluesier feel that brings out the best in vocalist Joey K. The opening salvo of "Slow Gun" carries a hook bigger than a high-rise demolition team while "Meet Joe Blues" builds an irresistible wall of guitars. "The Shape of a Heart" and the ultra-heavy "The World Has Fangs" show the dynamic crunch lacking on the earlier recordings (the latter throwing in a touch of melody.)
If you're only as good as your last game, "Volume III" shows The Devil Rides Out could make it into the big league. - The Barman
- Volume I
