Dusteroid - Tyrannosonor

The band with one of the most ultimate names for a stoner band has to be Dusteroid, don't know why but I have always loved that name. Classic band names aside, Dusteroid has been around since the early 90's but have only released one other CD that I am aware of and that was back in around 2005, that CD was called "Albedo Zero" and in my opinion was a run of the mill stoner rock release, it wasn't bad but was so generic, it was instantly forgotten about. One thing that is immediately clear with the new album, "Tyrannosonor" is the actual songwriting has improved out of sight. There is still nothing original about the band but the actual songs are full of much stronger hooks, better riffs and solo's. I must first mention the packaging though, before even putting on this disc this automatically grabbed my attention. This CD is packaged in a stunning  multi panel fold out cardboard sleeve complete with artwork of a flaming asteroid and it looks incredible. More bands should package their albums this way, it looks amazing. Seeing that this is a self-financed album, the level of professionalism is right up there with any major band and this CD has the production to match the packaging, simply put, this CD kicks ass.

Within the opening minute of the first track, "Defy" you know this band means business. Musically they are somewhere in between Orange Goblin, Clutch, Sabbath and Down. Big fat riffs, solid grooves and a thundering rhythm section to back it up. The guitar solo's come right out of the Tony Iommi songbook and the vocals are like a rougher version of Down's Anselmo. The band still do their fair share of recycling riffs but they are killers, "High Rollers" and "Tomahawk Storm Troopers" are classic stoner groove tunes based around bluesy riffing with plenty of twists to keep you interested. The first major shift in direction comes in ""Whiskey Overdose" that has a jazzy interlude part, something that Black Sabbath was famous for in their earliest years. The lyrics are not exactly thought-provoking and could even be considered cheesy in a way but its not something you think about much with all the killer, stomping grooves that are present in the first 4 songs. The first weak moment comes in the next song called "Imprisonment", here they show a different side to the band, darker and more emotional but it just didn't gel with me even though it has some cool chugging bits, it just seems to spoil the way the album flows up to that point.

The band hit the gas pedal once again for the next track, "The Rolling Head". Its a beer-fueled hell raising track in the same vein as the earlier tracks and it even has everybody's favorite stoner rock instrument, the cowbell which is given a serious workout. "Holy Sin" is a another great track which showcases the band's southern rock tendencies, there is a type of Alabama Thunderpussy southern groove going on in this track and despite being totally unoriginal, it's still wipes the floor with most other bands within this genre of rock. The final track packs a real wallop, called "Dusty Road", it has a punky Orange Goblin vibe and then after some 53 minutes, its all over. The most negative thing I can come up with for "Tyrannosonor" is the obvious reworking of other band's riffs, I am pretty sure this wasn't intentional, it is just displaying their influences. The other problem could be its 8 songs spread over 53 minutes with pretty much the same groove on nearly every song, because of this its impact is weakened by the end of the album. However, this is still a great CD to party to, down a few beers to or crank up real loud when cruising down the highway. If you are tired of waiting around for the next Orange Goblin album or maybe bands like Clutch are not doing it for you anymore, then check out Dusteroid's Tyrannosonor. It rocks!

1. Defy
2. High Roller
3. Tomahawk Storm Troopers
4. Whisky Overdose
5. Imprisonment
6. The Rolling Head
7. Holy Sin
8. Dusty Road


Self released
Reviewer: Ed
Apr 14, 2010

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