Release Date: June 21st 2024. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
39 Serpent Power: Tracklisting
1.Serpent Power 05:27
2.Ohm Ripper 04:12
3.Blessed Life
4.LM308
5.Grim Creeper
6.Church Keys
7.Hoof
8.Tumbleweed
Band Members
Wyatt Bronc - bass and vocals
Douglas Jennings Barrett - drums
Tory Jean Stoddard - keys
Samuel Hayes - guitar
Dustin Vano - guitar
Review
Sludge/Stoner Metallers Rifflord return in a big way with their third album 39 Serpent Power and I still find it hard to believe this is their only third album especially since the band have been going since 2007. With this being their first album for their new label of Ripple Music, the band feel like a more aggressive beast compared to their 2018 album 7 Cremation Ground / Mediation.
The album itself is a fast-paced and aggressive slice of Sludge/Stoner Metal complete with turbocharged Thrash Metal guitar solos and a thunderous Progressive Metal energy which sees Rifflord easily being compared to bands such as Motorhead, KYLESA, Mastodon and High On Fire with even modern day riffsters such as Restless Spirit as well. There’s a never ending supply of different sounding grooves, guitar solos, beatdowns and breakdowns all played with a classic HEAVY METAL delivery with Rifflord never straying too far away from their breakneck modern based Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves that has a slight obsessive and destructive Speed Metal energy running throughout.
The opening tracks of Asleep At The Wheel, Ohm Ripper and Blessed Life outlines the best possible sounds and extended instrumental solos with swirling Psychedelics that we come to expect from the underground scene with Rifflord perfectly capturing the moment of big, bold and brash ideas that result in pure headbanging bliss especially on Blessed Life. The classic twin guitar sound is used brilliantly with Wyatt’s vocals highly reminiscent of the Sludge/Stoner Metal bands who were signed to Relapse Records back in their mid noughties heyday.
Rifflord do employ a ruthless display of kinetic Psychedelic and Sonic creative energy which allows the overall power of their music to become THRASH METAL obsessed but also allows the DOOM based aspect to fully shine through on tracks such as LM308, Grim Creeper, Hoof and Tumbleweed. The added aspect of tales from the old American West that plays a major part within the creative narrative of the album gives this an OUTLAW quality which Rifflord exploit to their own great advantage.
39 Serpent Power is a true “BALLS TO THE WALL” album that is “ALL KILLER AND NO FILLER” which flirts between Classic Heavy Metal dominance and modern day Psychedelic Sludge/Stoner Metal aggression for a record that fully commands your respect from the outset. With 39 Serpent Power being released by Ripple Music, you know the album sounds incredible from start to finish that benefits from first rate production values.
The HYPE is real with RIFFLORD and they are indeed LORDS OF THE MIGHTY RIFF.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.
39 Serpent Power will be available to buy from on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from Friday 21st June 2024.
