Rough Edge: Teeth of the Hydra CD Reviews

TEETH OF THE HYDRA

"Greenland" (TeePee; 2006)

Ohio-based Teeth of the Hydra have released “ Greenland ” as a follow-up to their self-released, out-of-print debut “We are the Fantasy.” I was vaguely familiar with the band as I can recall seeing glowing news reports about this new release; but I had not heard any samples of their music. As a result I was sufficiently intrigued and excited to have the opportunity to hear “ Greenland ” despite the fact that I might have already been a little bit influenced to anticipate that I was going to like what I heard.

It doesn’t take long listening to “ Greenland ” to realize that Teeth of the Hydra sounds like part of the next breed of bands the resurgent doom/stoner genres. “ Greenland ” starts out with a couple of mid- to high-tempo stoner bombs followed by the doomy epic “The Garden of Rotten Teeth.” Three more tunes crush, stomp, and romp the sonic wasteland before its conclusion. The instrumental “Narsaq” is a brief respite and prelude to one last crushing foray through the wilderness with “Purgatorium.” As you might imagine, riffs galore decorate “ Greenland ” in a way that sounds cohesive and strong. Yet it is not just about the riffs – Teeth of the Hydra have a knack for tunes that attract the listener’s attention at all times.

“Greenland” features a loose concept about how traveling Vikings attempted to make their way during their first winter in a new, cold and barren artic land despite the fact they could have asked local Indians how to survive with better foraging and shelter – or something like that. Heady stuff – and cool to boot.

It would be too obvious and too easy to claim that Teeth of the Hydra are following in the footsteps of bands like High On Fire. However, “Greenland” is more about exploring the traditional aspects of stoner/doom styles as well as pushing the envelope by incorporating some old-school styles (‘60s sludge and the embryonic sounds of the first black metal bands. In addition, Teeth of the Hydra explore more recent (and currently better known) developments in the stoner/doom genre – there’s no doubt that these upstarts will crush those new stylistic idioms with their own unique efforts in the years to come.

“ Greenland ” is sure to make an impact in the metal scene in 2006. It would not be a stretch to see that fans not usually attracted to the stoner/doom genre would find something to like in “ Greenland .” I would not be surprised to see “ Greenland ” in many Top Twenty lists this year.

“ Greenland ” was produced by Sanford Parker (Pelican, Buried at Sea, Unearthly Trance).

Teeth Of The Hydra Matt Miner on guitar and vocals, Matt Bailey on bass, and Jamie Stillman on drums.

For more information visit http://www.teethofthehydra.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.

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