AGAINST THE GRAIN – Cheated Death (2018)
“Cheated Death” is the new album from US rockers AGAINST THE GRAIN, their 4th effort. And while the band’s mix of styles are not exactly the motto of this blog, we have decided to feature them here because that ‘blend’ is darn good effective. And catchy.
Living up to the title of their newest record, Against The Grain have proven themselves to be true road warriors. Blazing a trail across the US with their brand of gear-shifting, balls-to-the-wall rock, incorporating all things heavy they practically defy categorization, seamlessly blurring the lines of metal, hard rock, glam, punk and classic rock.
The press release laid so much emphasis on Against The Grain’s tenure as a live band. Since they got started in 2009, the band has averaged one show every 3 and a half days. That’s pretty impressive.
And if you’re curious what this equation has to do with Against The Grain’s new album “Cheated Death,” well, it’s quite simple one show every 3 and a half days has made this band from Michigan become a tight unit, and the results are finger-licking good.
Coming out of the Motor City, Detroit, Against The Grain plays motor rock. That’s kind of a no-brainer. Speed rock, whatever you want to call it. This music calls upon those who play it, to play it fast, hard and most of all tight.
The varied influence helps “Cheated Death” become a lot of rock things at once. Fortunately, they wear these all of hats convincingly.
Whether it’s bassist Chris Nowak’s vocal similarities to a mid-register, nearly-hoarse David Lee Roth (“High Heeled Woman”, “Going Down Fast”) or a throaty version of Lemmy (“Rolling Stone”), the twin-guitar maneuverability that resembles Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper, the blistering paces of Motörhead (“Sacrifice”), or the raucous energy and grit of the early punkish Guns N’ Roses (“Enoughs Not Enough”) – it’s obvious they’re well-versed and have the chops to rip with the best of ‘em.
Busting out of the gate with the title track, they make it known that they don’t like to waste time. They plow through some shifty, foot shufflin’ segments, rambling geets accompanied by spitfire vocal delivery, a change-up chorus, and zippy leads within the first minute.
“Sacrifice” clocks 1:56 min, “Jaded And Faded” 1:24, and “No Sleep” 2:14. Yeah, these are complete songs. The band simply does not repeat the verses. It’s verse / chorus / solo and then the song burn out.
It’s a satisfying ride: quick, smart, and wild.
On the other side, “Devils And Angels” is over the 5 min, a bluesy midtempo rocker with a bar-room atmosphere and valvular solos.
“Last Chance” is a killer modern spin on KISS, complete with backup “ooh’s” in the chorus, whistle-along leads and harmonies, and a full-blown bass solo. They prove that unrelenting tempos and technical wizardry are just as impressive in the rock world. These dudes move so smoothly and creatively through pretty much everything on “Cheated Death” – it lends an honest and live feel that’s found in the dangerous unpredictability of guitar heroes of yesteryear.
Against The Grain play ripping rock, replete with a command of adrenaline-pumping, raw energy. With the majority of the album’s tracks in the two-to-four-minute range, they make the absolute most of each moment, tearing through most of the record at fervent will.
Read the influences mentioned above, and if you like the cocktail, better check “Cheated Death”, an old-school sounding rocker CD plenty of energy.
01. Cheated Death
02. Full Of Smoke
03. Sacrifice
04. No Sleep
05. Last Chance
06. Devils And Angels
07. High Heeled Woman
08. Rolling Stone
09. Enoughs Not Enough
10. Going Down Fast
11. Jaded And Faded
12. Into The Light
Chris Nowak – Bass, Vocals
Rob Nowak – Drums
Nick Bellomo – Guitar
Kyle Davis – Guitar
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