Dead Mammals II LP
Engaging noise rock/heavy grunge record from this Rochester, UK band. Pulling from sounds like COP SHOOT COP and HELMET, the bass and drums lock together like a machine, as the vocalist moves from slurred sing/speaking into screaming with ease. Slow builds are key here, like on “Itch,” which features an ominous mid-tempo chug, even through the eventual atonal guitar solo release. A few tracks like “The Ground Takes Anyone” and “Heir Sid” veer into grungy waters with loping minor-key guitar figures that crash into Big Muff crunch, not unlike vintage ALICE IN CHAINS. Big riffs and big moods abound for the rockers among us.