Stoner/Doom

Son Of Boar – Son Of Boar
Stoned Rocka Recordings
Release Date: 02/04/2021
Running Time: 31:10
Review by Alun Jones
9/10

Well, here we are then. The debut album from Bradford based sonic butchers, Son of Boar. And yes, I am quite excited about this release. There are long lost civilisations existing in the South American jungle that, despite having no contact with the outside world, are aware that your pal, Platinum Al, has been desperate to hear this cacophonous compendium for some time.

So, is it any good? Well yeah, obviously. But just what kind of good I shall reveal.

There are five tracks on this eponymous release, across which Son of Boar attempt to cover as much ground as possible. Yes, this is Stoner Doom – it is heavy, it has groove, it has a windswept musical vista that is both fierce and welcoming.

I’ve already reviewed first track, ‘Stoned Wail’, when it was released as a single a while ago. This mix is punchier though, and still satisfying regardless of any familiarity. The calm wash of ocean waves accompanies a benign introduction; until, just over two minutes in, the full electric muscle of the band is released. SOB hit their groove and plough relentlessly on, whilst vocalist Luke roars about some sweet girl called Mary. I don’t know who Mary is, but she seems like a nice, compassionate lady.

The slow sludge of song number one is contrasted by ‘All In Your Head’, where SOB pick up the pace and gallop home with a Kyuss covering Maiden flourish. Great rhythm work from Gaz (bass) and Luke D (drums). ‘Satanic Panic’ then devolves brilliantly into the sort of the Corrosion of Conformity style Sabbath worship that enthralled James Hetfield. Powerful, even graceful, but remorseless.

‘Snakes And Daggers’ reminds me of Motorhead played too slow (33rpm not 45, for the fossils out there). Here the pace varies, with a great, almost psychedelic melodic swash emerging like a surprise visit from a long-lost drinking buddy. Then your old pal gets stinking drunk and kicks off in the taxi rank, and you’re desperately clutching your kebab in puzzlement. What?

You should listen to ‘Cities Of The Deadeyed Priestess’ just because it’s a genius song title. It also has some bizarro samples that I need to investigate. Musically, this is another brutal head crusher: meat and potatoes riffs and fine melodic hues courtesy of guitarists Lyndon and Adam.

And there you have it: five songs, one debut album. A fine band; they’re awesome live, have the best t-shirt designs I’ve seen in donkeys and are creating a real sense of cult-like, underground authenticity that is addictive. If I could afford to buy a copy of this album for everyone reading this review, I would. Even that weirdo at the back.

And Son of Boar have only just begun their journey…

TRACKLISTING:
01. Stoned Wail
02. All In Your Head
03. Satanic Panic
04. Snakes And Daggers
05. Cities Of The Deadeyed Priestess

LINE-UP
Luke Oliver – Vocals
Adam Waddell – Guitar
Lyndon Birchall – Guitar
Gaz Bates – Bass
Luke Doran – Drums

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Alun Jones and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

EMQ’s with THE RHUBARB

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Glasgow, Scotland based Stoner/Doom band The Rhubarb. Huge thanks to vocalist/bassist Hannah White for taking part.

What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

Alright alright alright! How are we doing? My name is Hannah white, I’m vocalist and bassist of the Rhubarb. The Rhubarb formed in 2014 in Busby, Glasgow. We are a four-piece doom/stoner metal band who write and play songs about sex, love, drink and politics. We have Seán Maguire as vocalist, Michael McConville on guitar and Jack Donnelly on drums. This is our second EP release coming out.

How did you come up with your band name?

It’s a funny story actually. We were talking one time about facts during our lunch break in college break and I said that film and tv extras, during filming, constantly say the word ‘Rhubarb’ as it uses the entire mouth when pronouncing it. We said that’s it, ‘Rhubarb’!

Where are you from and what is the Metal & Rock scene like there?

We are from Glasgow, the music scene in Glasgow has always been amazing. We love so many bands and artists in the metal scene here. Not only do we enjoy listening to their music, we are all very close as well, as friends. And plus, to the fact, we are with Reaction Management, so many bands similar to us in the roaster, we are close with and help each other out.

What is your latest release?

Our latest release is our single ‘Drag Me To Hell’, which came out on December 4^th. It is off our EP release “Black Sun”.

‘Drag Me To Hell’ (Lyric Video)

Who have been your greatest influences?

Oh wow, where do we begin! Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Hawkwind, Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats, Monolord, Kadavar, Blues Pills- the list is endless! But that’s definitely our major influences, we just love that sorta sound!

What first got you into music?

Wow, I remember sitting on a toilet potty in my living room watching an old ‘The Who’ greatest hits DVD my dad had on and I was in total admiration, total awe watching this crazy noisy band go wild and even though I was a toddler I knew I loved music from that moment and wanted to be in band.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

We always said we’d love to do collaboration with Hawkwind, we really take to their style and, of course, they are legends and the music they’re still bringing out today is totally banging. We feel we could heavy them up a bit haha. But we’d deffos love to work with Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats, they are out of this world!

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Definitely Desertfest: every year they have the beat line-ups, the way the fans support that festival is just insane.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

Haha the weirdest gift, probably a deck of fags after a gig.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Our message to our fans is always. ‘You’re the best fans ever for listening to our electrifying tunes, we salute you all forever!’

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Lemmy. He would enjoy our banter.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

Let’s start off with the bad things first: the bad thing is obviously not being able to rock out 24 hours a day, seven days a week because of work commitments etc and the good thing being that what we write and play creatively is just too awesome not too: we live and breathe music.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Music industry has always been levelled for me, like it’s has its ups and it has its downs just like all artistic industries, there’s gonna be crap or good music, it’s subjective. But I feel like right now, due to the pandemic, a lot of artists and bands have been affected but it’s just about momentum and energy, just gotta keep going!

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Definitely “Paranoid” by Black sabbath. It’s perfect in every way possible.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

100% vinyl. Vinyl, vinyl. VINYL! We’ve always wanted to release a vinyl. Maybe one day…!

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

Oh, probably our last gig in February there supporting Skeleton Gong. What a show it was! Very atmospheric, great stoner/doom bands playing and great support from our fans too.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

Likely a makeup artist or an actress. But currently I work in a bar outside the band. I love that too.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

That’s a hard one but definitely, Paul McCartney, Nicola Sturgeon, Tommy Wiseau, Nicholas Cage and Ozzy Osbourne. What a dinner party that would be…

What’s next for the band?

There’s so much on the agenda especially for next year, few ideas coming your way and surprises here and there for ya all…!

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

Yes, plenty of links for you. Here they are:
www.facebook.com/TheRhubarbband
www.instagram.com/therhubarbband/
www.open.spotify.com/artist/64lo9AEk8xfVtrJjKFI7e3

Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?

See, I would call them a biscake. See what I did there…haha!

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Just a massive thank you to SaN PR and Reaction Management for the best support and work ever, we are so humble and thankful. We hope y’all enjoy the release. Stay safe everyone and keep dooming and rocking. 🤘🏻

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.