These guys have just gotten better and better. Truthfully, Ken Harlev's vocals have always reminded me of Scott Weinrich, and this CD rocks just as hard as anything by PLACE OF SKULLS or ORANGE GOBLIN. The basslines are warm and distinctive, and the cymbals sound crisp. Of course, Ken's stoner-blooze guitar wizardry just gets more and more impressive with each release. He's obviously working toward becoming something like the next Eddie Glass. There is not a weak track (or even a weak moment) on this entire work. I could go track by track, but in the interest of length, I'll just hit the highlights. "Mother Joner" is a fine example of how much this band has progressed. Starts off with an assault of fiery blues licks before descending into the godly main riff. Actually, this intro and riff reminded me of the live HOLOCAUST stuff from the early 80s due to the killer energy level and gut-level rawness that gave me the desire to shout "Oi! Oi! Oi" while pumping both fists in the air to the beat of the track - just devastating.

Really, the whole CD's like that. "Pink Hole" is a heartwarming story of love and romance set against kickass start/stop Gibson riffs from Ken, and a burbling bassline. The CD ends with an ungodly blues jam called "Thalidomide Babies" that has me thinking Ken melted down copies of "Tales of the Unexpected" and "Bridge Of Sighs" and had the vinyl injected into his veins. Great bass / guitar interplay, scalding leadwork and no overplaying. For desert rock groove and metal power, this is the real deal.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.18speedtranny.com

RELATED ITEMS: 18 SPEED TRANNY - "Diablito", 2003