I read a recent live review of this band where the writer described them as being influenced by BLACK SABBATH, BLACK SABBATH and BLACK SABBATH! To be fair their own myspace presence does cite the Brummie Gods as top of their list of influences along with the likes of MOTORHEAD, SPIRIT CARAVAN and St.VITUS so it's pretty clear that we're in heavy riffing doom rock territory with this release.

Of all the nine tracks on the 3 piece outfit's album, the one entitled "Urban Plight" best captures the power and energy of an early SABBATH, and along with decent, well-constructed lyrics and plenty of time changes, provides the albums high point. 'The Hunter' is another fine doom-laden number, again routed firmly in the early 70s from a time when progressive rock meant just that and hadn't been shortened and shifted to define the symphonic drawn-out noodling of Wakeman and the like. The epic 'Horsehair and Red Silk' is an energetic bass-heavy powerhouse second track in whilst some respite from the boom is provided in the shape of southern tinted acoustic number 'The Onkh' and the remarkable 'Melmoth', which borrows heavily from ZEPPELIN's 'No Quarter' and displays a diversity and willingness to experiment.

Flawed in places with the vocals sounding muddy and indistinct early on, although this is both improved on later cuts and the impact is lessened by printed lyrics on the inlay, however the quality control appears to have failed on the back cover with a small image of a farmhouse obscuring part of two of the track titles - or have I missed something deep and meaningful here?

All in all a more than decent album that deserves attention and a band I'm sure will sound even better as the budget improves. Perhaps the best compliment I can pay LEATHER NUN is that if this were released 35 years ago it would have had a Swirl label adorning it.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/leathernunamerica

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.