CD REVIEW: SPRAYGUN WAR – Into The Blackness

Label: Spraygun War Records

Date: June 10, 2016

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

I love Buckcherry.  Seriously, they are the band I have photographed more than any other – I simply love the power of their live show.  One of the reasons for that killer live show is frontman Josh Todd – he controls the flow of the show and interacts with the crowd.  Another reason is guitarist Stevie D – this guy is always smiling and digging his “job”.  These two have rolled out from under the warm BC blanket and ventured in a slightly different direction with Spraygun War.  This is a rock record at its core, but features some sampling, some rap, and some killer beats.  Opener “OMG” is the biggest departure from the known and expected, but only because of the rap-style vocals from Todd and some heavy sampling.  The guitar work is killer and demonstrates how well Stevie handles a guitar.  “Booty Big And Wide” may sound like a rap song, but the subject matter falls right in line with what Josh has been writing for years.  The guitars are rich, mix well with the sampling, and help carry the song from the first sound until the last.  “Turn Out The Lights” is the most Buckcherry-like track on the disc.  From the anthemic chorus to the driving beat underneath the vocals and guitars, this song screams to be played live.  The song also demonstrates how well Josh can sing, especially on the chorus and the bridge when he flashes different textures of vocals.  “El Sicario” is another song that could just as easily fit on a BC record as it does on this EP.  The production from Stevie on this track stands out and gives us a great insight to his vision of not only this song, but the project as a whole.  The solo on the bridge is cool and has a Prince-like feel to it.  Disc closer “Fury” is a funk-fueled rocker that brings the guitars to the forefront in the mix and shows how well these two play off of each other in the studio.  The beats underneath the vocals and guitars get the foot tapping and the head banging – even without soaring riffs or thunderous metal vibe.  I can’t wait to see if this duo takes this show on the road – the results could be phenomenal.

Tracklisting: OMG – Booty Big And Wide – Turn Out The Lights – El Sicario – Fury

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INTO THE BLACKNESS – ITUNES

Category: CD Reviews