Reviewed by Andy "Dinger" Beresky (www.StonerRock.com)
You know, I get kind of pissed off when I hear High On Fire referred to as "the new Motorhead." Besides the gruff Pike vocals, I don't really hear it. Perhaps to those who opened and shut the door to their HoF experience with the "Devilution" video on Headbanger's Ball, sure they're the new Motorhead, but let's be honest with ourselves as both High On Fire and Motorhead fans: "Devilution" may very well be their weakest track. But as usual, I digress.
If I had to pick the heir apparent to Motorhead, I'd go with the UK's Asomvel. They've got the sound, down and dirty 70's inspired blues rock cranked to 11 and injected with meth that some biker cooked up in his bathtub. No frills, no gloss, just metal that would make even Lemmy's warts crack a smile. The chain smoking, whiskey gargling vocals done right, along with killer wah-wah soloing really seal the deal for me.
Is it original? No, it's not. The songs are, the lyrics are, but it's Motorhead worship to a "T" and an umlaut. Is that a problem? Apparently it is to some, who seem to think that something only holds inherent value if it's treading new ground. Count me out of that camp, I'm going to listen to something if it kicks ass. I'd much rather listen to a band that can crank out the best album that Motorhead never made than something that's "original" and sounds like dog dick, but that's just me. Any band that can write a song as awesome as "Motherload" is up there with the best in my book.
Sure, this doesn't have the raw intensity or immediacy of the first four Motorhead albums (counting the first one...), but the songs are killer. The lyrics and delivery of the vocals are perfect. If you're into Motorhead's newer albums, which are all solid, I don't see how you can't like this album, which is just as solid, and at least a little different. I mean, c'mon, I'm sure these cats have something besides Motorhead records in their collections, and that definitely comes out in their playing even if their main influence is so prominent.
Anyone that picked up on the band's "Full Moon Dog" EP will know that there are no pretentions about Asomvel. They step up the board and give you heads down, no nonsense Motörhead fuelled Heavy Metal that can take your face off. There's no pandering to trends, or what is popular. Asomvel play what they want to play and if you don't like it then you can fuck off and listen to someone else. It's that kind of attitude that makes this release such a potent brew of non stop driving rawness, with added melody to taste. No ballads, or wimpy numbers, this is Maximum Rock 'n' Metal.
With a pounding explosive start to this 5 track demo CD 'Feel The Chill' instantly sets the stage, giving a great insight into what Asomvel is all about. There’s a party feel to this band with good ol’ rock n roll styles and lyrics. Motorhead is clearly a huge influence. Stand out tracks for me have to be ‘To Hell With The Rest’ and ‘How The Mighty Fall’. The 3 B’s spring to mind when I listen to Asomvel – Bikes, Booze and Blokes :D (Babes if you’re a guy hehe). Well worth checking out.
Angel Of Metal 2009
Asomvel - Kamikaze (Miskatonic)
By Mike Ballue
November 27, 2009
Part of me wondered (only for a moment) if mentioning Motorhead right off the bat in this Asomvel review would be appropriate. There is definitely an influence factor present, but it is not like Sabbath is mentioned right off the bat in every doom review. After some quick contemplation, I decided that it is indeed appropriate for the following reasons: 1) Unlike the million Sabbath influenced bands who have doom metal as a genre, there have been nowhere near enough bands with the balls to take a nod from Motorhead to create a genre 2) Motorhead is a necessary reference point because the last time any band rocked a combination of metal and good old rock n’ roll this viciously it was them 3) What the fuck is there to worry? Motorhead coming up in relation to your band is a high compliment.
No worries, this is not at all straight out copying by any means, but all lovers of Motorhead will find much here that is missing in the heavy rock world outside Lemmy’s crew. Now with all that Motorhead stuff out of the way….kerblam! The title track drops in on your world like its namesake, hell bent for destruction, totally committed and louder than everything else. Thundering bass is wielded very close to a rhythm guitar part, drums pound, gravel throated vocals snarl in a commanding fashion, guitar slices like a razor wire stringed demon and all of it is solidly grafted on a relentlessly charging rock n’ roll frame…real good stuff boys and girls…real good stuff here. When “No Twist of Fate” slows the tempo just a bit on the verses it swings like one bad motherfucker, and then the chorus hits the gas pedal and a rain of hammers falls upon your eardrums. “Invertebrate” continues the auditory mugging, with the guitar solo burning, peeling and bubbling out in a manner more than a bit reminiscent of Fast Eddie back in the glory days. “End of the Line” brings the rock n’ roll heart right up to the front and, while damn near being danceable, is one heavy proposition.
The fifth track “Dead by Dawn” begins my favorite stretch of this album with a seriously menacing proclamation of impending annihilation. It is heavy, vicious, rocking and blessed with a riff that burrows into your brain like an iron parasite. “Motherload” brings both the rock and the metal with an authority that is just criminal. This song, like its predecessor, is extremely strong in and of itself, but blessed with all the right extras from the anvil pound, to the perfectly fit and executed guitar fills, to the blistering solo. “Internet Commando” is a scathing (both lyrically and musically) indictment of the spineless, wanna be tough guys, whose only display of bluster comes from behind a keyboard. Fast paced, nasty, headbanging pit material is what this is. “The Ballad of Agnes White” returns to the palpable menace of “Dead by Dawn” , thundering in a mid paced, rocking, bruising assault and sporting some seriously amazing guitar work that soars and sears like a napalm eagle. How good are these songs (and pretty much all their disc mates also)? They could sit proudly on damn near any Motorhead album and fit right in with their album mates…they’re that good.
‘Womb to Tomb” is defiance stalking tall and proud before it breaks into the final chase, slaying mediocrity and conformity in a bloody riot of wailing guitar, lead heavy bass, and a cannonade of drums. An alternate mix of the brilliant “Stone Cold Stare” closes it all out in fine fashion. There is a reason that Lemmy and Motorhead are iconic and held in god like reverence, they are one of the best bands ever. A few have tried and some (like Gunslinger and G.A.T.E.S.) have partly succeeded in musically honoring the legend. No one has ever done it as powerfully and effectively as Asomvel. This album flat out slays…’nuff said break out the wallet….
Asomvel - Full Moon Dog EP
By Mike Ballue
January 24, 2008
Heavy Metal long ago developed into a musical element separate and independent from it’s roots in rock n’ roll. Most bands that try to meld the two back into one fail miserably, diluting the strengths of both, lacking in soul and sometimes sounding outright awkward. The gold standard has and always will be Motorhead.. In the days before heavy metal had fully asserted it’s independence, Motorhead infused metal’s fledgling elements into rock n’ roll with a power and force that was mighty and awe inspiring. The mixture was far more alchemy than science and far more cohesive than most attempts since. What does this all have to do with Asomvel? Well Asomvel belong among the chosen few that have succeeded in Lemmy’s wake. Asomvel bring the metal and the rock n’ roll with a vengeance and most importantly a cohesion and a sledgehammer heaviness. What might seem incongruent is embodied in one entity powerfully and unreservedly. This is the mafioso at confession, the religious terrorist at prayer.....well enough of my unwieldy attempt to describe the magic here, let’s just say that Asomvel really mean it and move onto specifics.....
Opener “Feel The Chill” blasts out of the speakers with rugged melody and fist in your face aggression, snarling vocals, rolling and pounding drums and a raw but groove centered attack from the guitar and bass. It’s a mighty, mighty good thing we’re onto here. “Behind The 8 Ball” and “To Hell With All The Rest” continue the assault in similar fashion until “How The Mighty Fall” bludgeons it’s way in with the stomp and swagger of a marauding Viking in a coastal monastery. My favorite tune on this EP, “How The Mighty Fall” is a beast of brute heaviness and vicious hooks that imbeds itself in your cranium like a parasitic iron worm. Closer and title track “Full Moon Dog” sends it all off in style and leaves you wanting more.......a lot more (Bring on a debut full length!).
There is not one dud moment on this ep. It grabs you by the throat and does not let go. As if the power of this ep weren’t enough, the live reviews (do a bit of searching on the internet) are siting a significant increase in power live (I’d kill to hear that!). So those of you across the pond get on it and go see them. For everyone period get on it and get over to their website, download their last demo for free (it’s be well worth paying for, but for free???!!! no excuse at all not to snap this up) there and then buy this!
