Release Date: March 15th 2024. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Graveside Grin - Tracklisting
1.Spit in the Casket 04:45
2.Big Bad Bodega Cat 03:49
3.Freewheelin' Maniac 03:19
4.Empty Bottle Boogie 03:21
5.Guilty Pleasure 03:18
6.Macrodose (Interlude) 01:21
7.La La Land 04:27
8.Twisting Flowers 03:39
9.Headstone 04:19
10.Cornered Animal 03:17
11.Raised Me Rowdy 05:00
Members
Mike – vocals
Zach – guitar, vocals
Ben – drums
Jesse – bass, vocals
Greg – guitar
Review
Graveside Grin is the new full length album from Leather Lung and it’s another cool slice of aggressively charged Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal that also has roots in areas of Boogie Rock, WEEDIAN Metal and Psychedelic Rock. The band are known for their glorious Hard Rock swagger which is influenced by bands such as Motorhead, High On Fire and The Melvins and this record continues that seedy Hard Rocking charm with a more Punk Rock attitude appearing within the lyrics and the excellent vocals by lead vocalist Mike.
There’s a certain Crossover Thrash Metal sound that appears within Graveside Grin which gives Leather Lung a more MATURE and THREATENING presence compared to their previous acclaimed releases. The music is always constantly engaging with Leather Lung delivering intense grooves, riffs and spliffs within almost every song. The album has a classic NOLA/Southern Metal feeling on the first three tracks of the album with Spit Of The Casket, Big Bad Bodega Cat and Freewheelin’ Maniac showcasing a different side from the Boston, Massachusetts natives.
Leather Lung deploys a seedy melodic tone which does tend to become more riff focused as time goes on. However, Leather Lung keep with their Sludge/Stoner Metal beliefs on more outlandish tracks such as Empty Bottle Boogie, La La Land, Headstone and Raised Me Rowdy. The riffs and vocals are continuously engaging and superbly entertaining from a band who know how to write a lean and mean seedy groove.
The album can be more extreme when the vocals opt for a more Harsh/Death Metal vocal style but they always remain easy to understand but it shows that Leather Lung aren’t afraid to change their musical style for a more uncompromising blend of music to fully appear. However, Graveside Grin is a superb debut release from Leather Lung that delivers maximum thrills and spills throughout the album.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the promo.
Graveside Grin is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records (US) / Magnetic Eye Records (EU)
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
