Take a look at the front cover of this CD. Evokes images of GEORGE HARRISON, RAVI SHANKAR and the late 60s/early 70s rock fraternity interest in all things Indian doesn't it? Well what's actually held within is a superbly concocted mix of monumental doom laden heavy rock that sounds for today's world whilst carries clear references to the original rock monsters... and not a sitar in sight.

A four piece outfit hailing from Iowa, USA the band's own web pages state influences as diverse as LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH (of course) but also MOUNTAIN, KYUSS and PANTERA. In fact just about any Blues, Rock or Doom seems to rock their boat and a self-proclaimed description that they are the imagined output of a ALICE IN CHAINS, DOWN and ZEP fueled rock blender accident completes the picture. In essence then a heady mix of stoner rock, metal and classic rock.

Challenging myself to pick out five highlights from the thirteen track, 70 minute release I move first to the epic 10 minute title track "One Foot In The Fifth World". A superb, effects laden monster that during its run borrows heavily from "Black Sabbath" the song right down to the inclusion of the solitary bell toward the end yet manages to give the band there own unique identifying track that covers just about all the bases within the multitude of time changing sections. The balls out, head-nodding heavy rock of "The Factory" with it's huge guitar-legend styled solo does the trick also whilst more gentler fare is evident in the acoustic, "Zeppelin III" styled introduction to "Stand Still". It only precedes a superbly heavy electric chorus of course rather than last the whole length of the track but this is maybe their most accessible piece. The catchy stop/start bluster of 'Time Again' also nods to Page but the one that remains the most memorable track is the chugging, balls out groover (and non-MOTORHEAD cover) Iron Horse.

To be fair any of the other eight tracks in isolation could be described as anything but turkeys and they themselves feature another two cuts, "Ready For Blood" and "King Of The Mountain" on their myspace presence indicating perhaps a band preference to those. A slight samey feel in places toward the latter end of the disc (but before the closing title track which has to be there) maybe states a case for removing a couple of tracks to give a shorter album with increased impact but you can't knock value for money and this slight negative aside its a fine, heavy album that mixes many genres without sounding cliched or imitating. A feat current crossover success WOLFMOTHER, for one fail to do. ANGRY GODS OF THE RADIO will succeed on their own merits.

-Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: www.angrygodsoftheradio.com

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