Tuesday 20 September 2016

XII Boar - Beyond The Valley Of The Triclops (Album Review)


Release date: August 12th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Beyond The Valley Of The Triclops – Tracklisting

1.Prologue 01:23
2.Beyond The Valley 04:16
3.The Hustle 06:21
4.Strange Kinda Lonesome 05:51
5.El Mucho Grande 05:54
6.Welcome To Your Doom 00:36
7.Penetrator 05:05
8.Abyssal Lord 07:29
9.Black and Blues 04:06
10.Jupiter Aligns 04:00
11.Beggars Roost 04:58
12.Triclops 05:42

Band Members:

Tommy Hardrocks - Guitar & Vocals
Adam "Bad-Dog" Thomas - Bass & Backing Vocals
Dave Wilbraham - Drums

Review:

XII Boar's new album, Beyond The Valley Of The Triclops is pure rock and roll excess from start to finish. It's loud, heavy, boisterous and packed full of dirty Stoner, Doom and Groove Metal riffs. Sure the band could have easily cut a couple of songs from the album but damn, you sure do get a lot of great riffs for the price of the album.

XII Boar's music is made for one thing and that's to ROCK THE FUCK OUT. If you're a fan of Orange Goblin, Black Sabbath and a few bands from the legendary NOLA scene you will probably enjoy the hell out of this. The opening few tracks – Prologue, Beyond The Valley and The Hustle create a manic Doom, Stoner Metal and NOLA based atmosphere with a hint of Blues Rock holding it all together.

The vocals from Tommy are confident and assured from the start with some heavy grizzled growls from Adam coming in from time to time. The album is a major step-up from their 2015 album – Pitworthy. This album has a more easy-going atmosphere though the album cover may give you the wrong impression. The album could have become very repetitive especially with the 12 songs they've created here but XII Boar being the seasoned professionals create an album that's vibrant and that will keep you entertained until the very end.

There's quite a few progressive riffs on the album especially on the albums standout track – Abyssal Lord. Beyond The Valley Of The Triclops is an album built on pure aggression and one that will get your heart pumping whilst thanks to the fast-paced brutal riffs!!!

XII Boar are a rare breed within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene as they combine the classic heavy metal sounds with the more anthemic modern Doom/Stoner Metal riffs. XII Boar would have easily ruled the roost if they were around in the 70s/80s Heavy Metal scene and this album is a testament to that.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo.