Supergroups are a fantastic idea. I have always felt that when members of famous bands get together on a musical project, it often entertains high expectations and keeps the fans guessing what kind of a sound the outfit is going to have.
Dunsmuir self titled debut album brings the late 70’s sound right to your doorstep and will not leave till you agree to rock out to it. This supergroup consists of Neil Fallon (from Clutch) on vocals, Dave Bone (from The Company Bad) wielding the guitar, Brad Davis (from Fu Manchu) on bass and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven & Hell). These folks are hard rock royalty and been in the industry for a long time. Their chops are definitive and undeniable.
Their self-titled effort is a collection of crunch-laden hard rock tracks, which bring the retro sound with a sense of freshness. The album opens up with a killer riff laden “Hung On The Rocks” that sets the mood for the entire album. It almost sounds like a narration of sorts.
The next track blows into existence with a ripping drum fill leading into a monstrous guitar riff off the track “Our Only Master”. Tracks like “Deceiver” and “…and Madness” have got a very New Wave of British Heavy Metal vibe going on, while “What Manner of Bliss”, “Church of the Tooth” and “Crawling Chaos” have a doom-laden ominous sound. This album is filled with enough riffs and classic sounds to make any metal fan jump with joy. The production is excellent, songwriting is tight and balanced and the overall sound is like a volcanic eruption.
There is not a lot to be said about the record for I feel it will steal some thunder from the listening experience. ‘Dunsmuir’ is a strong record, deserving multiple listens and all devil-horns flying about. Catch them live, for I promise you, they won’t disappoint.