Release Date: April 18th 2025. Record Label: Ipecac Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Thunderball - Tracklisting
1.King of Rome
2.Vomit of Clarity
3.Short Hair With A Wig
4.Victory of the Pyramids
5.Venus Blood
Members:
Buzz Osborne
Mike Dillard
Void Manes
Ni Maîtres
Review
Thunderball is the new album from the legendary metallers MELVINS and this record features the core 1983 line-up of King Buzzo (Guitar/Vocals) and Mike Dillard on drumming duties. The record features five tracks that showcases some of the most riff-fuelled sound the band have made in quite some time but one that also sees them delve into Electronica experimentation thanks to the great work created by Void Manes and Ni Maîtres.
Opening track King Of Rome is a Punk, Grunge and Sludge Metal monster with MELVINS using their short running time to create a slightly commercial and offbeat sound. The song has a bass heavy atmosphere that allows the Psychedelic and Electronica beats that manifests into a hallucinogenic and psychedelic wonderland. The screeching guitars adds a level of seedy grit and Buzz Osborne’s dominant guitars and impressive vocals adds a Classic Hard Rock sound that only the MELVINS can deliver.
Second track Vomit Of Clarity is an experimental based Drone/Glitch/Psych/Electronic offering which is a stark contrast to the brilliant opening track. This has a sparse environment for Void Manes and Ni Maîtres to fully flesh out with intricate trippy beats. The song lasts over two minutes and can be quite Post-Rock based that reminds me of their fellow Sludge Metallers LOWFLYINGHAWKS at times that other members of The Melvins family have collaborated on multiple occasions.
Third song Short Hair With A Wig marries up the sonic experimentation of the previous track with that classic long drawn out progressive energy that Melvins are highly fond of. The bass heavy guitar allows the Electronica beats to weave a dark tale of mistrust before the song finally transforms into a heavy SLUDGE monster with KIng Buzzo’s pounding guitars and Mike Dillard’s intelligent and effortless drumming that builds up one hell of a racket. The drone elements are subtle and overlap with the familiar riff-centric style with precise determination and allows MELVINS 83 to form and function as one cohesive unit which makes you want to hear when the epic eleven minutes run time is finally over.
Fourth track Victory Of The Pyramids follows the same riff-fuelled pattern of the opening track King Of Rome but with a longer and progressive style of Hard Rock, Psych Rock and Grunge that is perhaps my favourite track on the whole album. The sound seems quite comforting and warm-hearted at first with the subtle and almost radio-friendly Psychedelic instrumental beats but this is THE MELVINS we’re talking about where they experiment yet again before transforming this track into a sinister blend of Noise Rock and Punk Rock. This is the closest track we ever get to the modern day line-up of MELVINS and perhaps the reason why it’s my favourite track. The lyrics are playful with King Buzzo in superb form. The stripped back approach allows the band plenty of opportunity to play different strands of Hard Rock and Metal with a jazz delivery within the quieter moments. The final moments are powered by a nightmarish style of heavy electronics leading the creative charge.
The final track Venus Blood is MELVINS at their most gloomiest and doomiest with a creepy sound merging from the subtle Sludgy guitars. Howling noises only add a sense of the OCCULT into the mix before the Electronic sounds levels everything out for another pulsating style of harsh environments. The song does have a wicked STOP / START and SLOW / FAST approach with the band using everything with nuanced sounds to great effect.
Thunderball is on the short side running under thirty five minutes but it’s what’s contained within that short running time that allows MELVINS to create another classic sounding album to their legendary discography. This is also perhaps their most fun and offbeat record in years. This is another ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender for the band and I’m looking forward to the next creative chapter from this truly ICONIC band.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Rarely Unable PR for the promo.
Tarantula Heart will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ipecac Recordings from April 18th 2024.
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