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THINNING THE HERD
"Oceans Rise" (Self Released;
2010)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
Self-professed hard rock psyche metal troupe Thinning the Herd are hands down one of the most hard working and visible rock units working the Big Apple scene, as it’s difficult to not see their stickers plastered everywhere while romping through the Lower East Side or not run into them on any heavy music bill in the Gotham City clubs. Luckily, this NYC trio backs up their massive guerilla marketing campaign and ubiquitous presence with a musical output that warrants all the fuss as evident on their latest endeavor, the massive eight-track "Oceans Rise."
Honestly labeling their music, this act lays down a thunderous backbeat that shares as much with Blue Cheer as it does Soundgarden while a dastardly amalgamation of doomy blues (“Plight”), fuzzed-out psychedelics (“Defiler”), grungy post metal (“Wide Crossing”), and 70s arena rock (“My Wake”) pours from the bass and guitar like a molten lava mix of Danzig, Melvins, and Kyuss.
Skillfully carving melodies from primal slabs of meat and potatoes rock while showcasing a fierce fearlessness to jam out whenever they please, TTH retains a sense of savagery without sacrificing catchiness, in turn creating a smorgasbord of sound that any self-respecting fan of heavy music won’t be able to deny.
For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/castrosbeard.
"Devil Mask" (Self Released;
2009)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
Scraping the seedy underbelly of the Big Apple with enormous rock riffs, NYC trio Thinning the Herd return with another batch of stonerriffic hard rock chock full of grit and substance on the five-track "Devil Mask."
Bridging the gap between the heavier side of grunge and the groovier side of metal, tracks like “Kitchen Sink” summon a 90s power rock vibe kind of like Monster Magnet meeting up with Soundgarden while “Uninformed” strikes with the subtlety of a punch square in the gut and “Simple Job” rocks like the best song your favorite Swedish stoner rock band never wrote.
If you enjoy in-your-face music with an exhilarating rock'n'roll aura, Thinning the Herd is a bonafide choice for a hellacious good time.
For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/castrosbeard.
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 © 2010 by R.
Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised:
11 Dec 2022 12:48:47 -0500 .
