Mind Noise Network
Indestructible Noise Command -
Black Hearse Serenade
By James Salt - 19 January 2015
Many bands are often given the label "before their time", writing a style of music years before a wider audience are willing to either accept or understand it.
To some of you, Indestructible Noise Command may need no introduction, for starters this Conneticut five-piece were birthed in 1985. They garnered some very early success earning themselves the opportunity to play alongside bands such as Megadeth, Exodus and King Diamond. As well as hitting the the #1 spot on the US college metal chart when they were barely out of high school.
After a 22 year gap between 1988 album "The Visitor" and 2010's "Heaven Sent...Hellbound" (including splitting up 1990 and reforming in 2010), and with a few line-up changes along the way; I.N.C have been on a steady rocking ship ever since - culminating in this new album "Black Hearse Serenade". And what an album it is!
Exploding out the blocks with the thrashtastic "Stirring The Flock" this is everything you should expect from I.N.C's very well oiled thrashy-hardcore machine - with their trademark groove and bounce. It's easy to see where Pantera found the influence to change their sound during the 80s. Dennis Gargely's snarling vocals sound like the result of a one night stand between Phil Anselmo and Wednesday 13 as Vince Neil watched. It's also been a while since I heard a bass this huge - props to Dave Campo.
Next up on "Sainted Sinners" we've traded in the speed for some groove. Tony Fabrizi and Erik Barath's twin riffage really complementing each other whilst Gergely's voice rides the guitar waves like a pro-surfer.
"Cyanide & Whiskey" possesses the sort of six string onslaught we are used to from Willie Adler and Mark Morton (of Lamb Of God fame), a real standout track on the album, sounding very relevant and will definitely please the ears of fans looking for a fix from the ashes of Pantera.
One of the most accessible songs on the album is title track "Black Hearse Serenade" which probably wouldn't be out of place on a Hellyeah" album with it's addictive, thumping drumbeat. You can feel some real passion in the vocals on this track and I could see this becoming a real crowd favourite in the near future.
Back to their roots on "Lucky #7" bringing the thrash elements into the fold again, courtesy of some speedy fretwork from Fabrizi and Barath again. Slowing things down on what is probably the heaviest track on the album, "Invite This Plague", could get devil horns in the air anywhere in the world. Really cracking solo in this one too.
Wrapping the album up is ballad "Love Like Napalm" (no it doesn't sound like one does it?) with acoustic verses and a dirty chorus - reminds me of some of the most recent tracks Iced Earth have put out - but please don't let that put you off! It's at the end after all...
The metal community always seem to enjoy a good return, and after the initial split and returning in 2010 it seems I.N.C. have gone from strength to strength.
With this release, and their sound being more relevant than ever I could see fans the world over lapping this up. "Black Hearse Serenade" is a monster of a record with catchy hooks, big choruses and bouncing beats - almost every track will get the crowds moving. If you're into a bit of Pantera, Lamb of God or HellYeah then this is well worth your undivided attention. It got me hooked as a relatively new listener to the band and I imagine it would have the same effect with any other so-called rock or metal fan.
Check it out!
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