black rheno hysteria

Black RhenoNoise Smasher

Independent
24th October, 2019
9
Holy Rheno

Beware the storm for it has arrived and its name is Noise Smasher. The Sydney power trio’s debut LP has been a long time coming; if four or five years feels like an eternity to you, then the “highly anticipated” cliché doesn’t quite fit. Desperate hands clawing at it feels more appropriate. Does it deliver? In the interest of cynicism, I’m not telling you just yet (though you’ve already seen the score at this point, d’oh!)

MORE: HALLOWEEN HYSTERIA 2019: Throws A Hard Six With New Additions To Line-Up REVIEWS: THORNHILL: The Dark Pool // REFUSED: War Music // DEEZ NUTS: You Got Me F****d Up

Black Rheno are doom and sludge alchemists; they slither from dirty blues into grindcore before you finish your last toke. Hollow Connection is just such a track, blasting full pelt with brief respites for iron-ball swinging riffs to crash on through. Kyuss style heat rises from next cut Collision, vocalist Ryan Miller barking as if under the cloudy green influence of High on Fire. The crazy thing about Black Rheno is that it’ll appeal to absolutely every metalhead, punk rocker, sludge fiend, insert heavy riff aficionado here. Even you.

All this name dropping makes it sound like some kind of tribute record. They’re only paying homage to one thing, and it’s their mastery of the riff

Burn has the chubby fingerprints of Cathedral all over it, though propelled at a decent pace Kvelertak fans would sneak into the pit half way through. They’d stay for absolute grinder Human, taking cues from fellow Aussies King Parrot. Vortex fires up the blues engine, ignited by Ryan’s cry of “Yeah, I’ve been drinkin!” All this name dropping makes it sound like some kind of tribute record. They’re only paying homage to one thing, and it’s their mastery of the riff.

Unbelievable that this is a power trio, since every grimy and grooving riff feels as intense as one another thanks in part to Kurt Ballou’s keen ear. Smite With Dynamite showcases Dougy’s dexterity with the sticks, likewise Something Fucking Special, a marsala of Damaged and Down. Riff fanatics will revel in barrel-assed Crossfire, a definite highlight – little nuggets of claps and sounds adding spice to the mix. Master Chronicle kicks open the doors to weird, as we’re struck by creepy off-kilter leads winding their way through dark hallways. A mix of so many genres pulled off this well is nothing short of astounding.

If Black Rheno comes to town, see them. The same rule applies to their records: if they drop an LP, buy it.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Crossfire, Collision, Burn
STICK THIS NEXT TO: King Parrot, High on Fire, (early) Mastodon


Latest News

MORE MUST READS >