With so many new bands launching their careers nowadays, it’s like a pick ‘n mix counter, all positively delicious, but which sweeties will you choose to take home?
Bristol sees the coming of a new dawn in metal with PHOXJAW, four lads who are not of the shy and retiring type, in fact the exact opposite. If you have something to say, then step up to the mic and let ‘em have it. “The Great Dying” starts this debut EP, melodic, almost Gothic feel and then the “Triceratops” leaves “three holes in my back”. Its like heavy duty machinery, grinding away, so much effort and ardour in an attempt to enter the vault door of the at times impenetrable music business. A very punky “Lottery” leads into the most harmonious of choruses, reminiscent of Mind Funk’s “Ride & Drive”.
We continue in a similar vein with the heavy balancing the much softer and sweeter tones, really well written and arranged. “Weapons” contains a more brutal chant that hits you right where it hurts before slipping slowly into a beautiful verse, quite tuneful actually.
“Oh, look at the mess on the floor” sounds like something your mother would say, but would you make her necklace out of Dinosaur Bones?
If you don’t mind being used as a punchbag, then this is for you. Enjoy the bludgeoning, burdening mass of industrial Gary Numan-esque vibes, just brilliant.
With “Plastic Wedding” we have the joining together of Ken & Barbie as the singer tells us “you’re creeping me out”.
Let’s ring out the bells of hopelessness with “I never wanted it to be like this” and slump into our seats as we wonder what awaits these newcomers and their heavy-duty approach to the world of metal.
I’m sure we can make some room for this quite engaging little dinosaur.