The members of CORTEZ aren't strangers to the Boston scene, having served in a handful of bands including SIN CITY CHAINSAW. With their debut "Thunder in a Forgotten Town", they're seemingly out to redefine the stoner rock genre in only six songs. Few bands these days are able to employ so many aspects of the genre in such a cohesive manner - mixing crunchy low-end riffs, southern groove, memorable choruses, inventive rhythm and bluesy leads and wrapping it all up with a sound as gritty as a cement truck going down a dirt road. COC fanatics will immediately have to put this at the top of their to-buy list, as vocalist Curtis often sounds identical to Pepper Keenan. Don't call them a sound-alike though, because these songs branch out into unexpected places. "The High Life" could have been written by a young SOUNDGARDEN, and "Stone the Bastards" showcases more double bass than these ears have ever heard in a stoner rock song.

The key selling point of "Thunder in a Forgotten Town" is how fun it is. Even with a slower, more brooding track like album closer "Floodwater Rising", it's still party time. Speaking of which, not sure why the album ends with over three minutes of what sounds like heavy wind, but it's never been done before so why the hell not, right? A full-length from these guys is definitely something to look forward too, but in the meantime don't let this six-track gem slip away. After all, as NEIL YOUNG himself said, CORTEZ is a killer!

- Cardona

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/cortezboston

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