'Truth To Power' is the debut EP from Chicago's IMPERIAL BATTLE SNAKE. I like the name for some reason even though I really don't know what a battle snake is, let alone one that would be sanctioned by any given empire. Maybe it is a sexual reference and every man is his own empire. Or maybe...oh fuck it.

This EP is good - not great but good. It could be great, but I assume due to a limited budget the disc does sound very much like a demo. Nothing wrong with that, but I get the feeling that this band tears it up and probably comes across much better in a live setting. I mean this as a compliment, because that is the one true representation of any band. IBS is tighter than Michael Stipe at a Bourbon St. Strip club, and the EP only gives you hints of the band's true power because the recording doesn't really tear your head off. Having said that what we have here are some really good straight-forward, dirty, heavy ass rock that seems to be inspired by bands like MC5, MOTÖRHEAD, SABBATH, and maybe a little BLUE CHEER. Guitarist J.Mlodzinski has plenty in the riffs dept. Check out crushing assault on the songs "...To War" and my favorite, the closing track ''Blood Lust Horizon". I really dig his leads throughout, like the weird slightly-off-key solo in "...To War", as well as his down 'n dirty lead in "Mt. Whore". The raspy vocals of J. West Nile remind me of one of the singers in MULE, I think it was the bass player.

There's nothing groundbreaking here. What I see with these guys is a band with alot of potential and hopefully we will hear a full-length soon with a better production. I imagine this is a great band to catch live and drink much beer to!

- Peters

OFFICIAL SITE: www.imperialbattlesnake.com

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.