MANMADE GOD
Reviewed by Mike SOS
Somewhere between the sonic boom of Soundgarden and the Southern drawl of The Black Crowes lies the sound of Bay Area quartet Manmade God.
On the outfit's inaugural major label offering, a slew of walloping rhythms and '70s rock goodness abound. This self-titled CD contains 11 tracks of soulful and thought-provoking rock'n'roll that merits comparisons to legendary bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Manmade God has brought forth a record that has minimal excess and limited rock'n'roll clichés but is still chock full of the earth-moving grooves which many bands fail to achieve.
Not exactly unique, Manmade God is still by far one of the more interesting and visceral troupes on the circuit.
For more information, check out http://www.manmadegod.com.
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
It's hard to tell much about any band based on just three songs. Happily, this three-song demo from the Bay Area band tells you enough to allow you to decide whether you want to hear more. And, if you do, the band's website has even more new music.
Manmade God are an interesting blend of Alice In Chains grunge with a light stoner influence and Black Label Society heaviness. If that sounds dark and sometimes murky to you, you're close. The music herein is as heavy as used motor oil but isn't overly sticky or syrupy. In other words, it's tuned down without tuning completely out.
Of the three songs herein, "Swampwater" is the heaviest, with a pounding Tyrannosaurus pace and Zakk Wylde-like guitars. "Vital," the first song, is the closest to a standard rocker while "Drone" is an intriguing Alice in Chains / Stone Temple Pilot morph that will bring smiles to those who thought grunge was dead and buried. Manmade God makes it fresh again.
As mentioned above, the band has more new music available on their website along with live videos and other information. If you can't get your hands on this demo, at least you can listen to some new stuff online.
Manmade God: Pann - voice; Jimmy - 5 strings; Craig - 6 strings; Horse - hits things.
For more information, check out http://www.manmadegod.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2003 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 18 Mar 2024 11:16:01 -0500.
