Susan Frances
04/02/08, 02:49 PM
Lords and Barons - Sangre Azul
Record Label: None
Release Date: March 2008
Los Angeles, California has been the setting for many different musical styles, but Lords and Barons eclipse them all as far as reaching into rock ‘n’ roll’s archives by presenting songs that still have their ‘70s hard rock roots attached. The band’s debut album Sangre Azul, has a hard rock luster that was prevalent when Kiss peaked; for natives of the surfing capitol of the USA, they have a touch of southern metal fusing their raging rock gusts with guitar burns as charring as The Showdown. The whipping, tearing, and tussling that the band members take their songs through manufactures passages of ramming torpedoes that hit hard, forcing you to follow in their wake. If there is one effect that Lords and Barons' music will have on you, it's that the band will take you with them through their whirlwind tempests.
Band members Kurt (lead vocals), Jake (guitar), and Jannea (drums) reveal very little about themselves, but their songs speak volumes. “Avast Ye” has charging drum rolls lodged under the forceful vocals as if the band is gearing up to confront a battle, and the hard rock throttles of “Schema” and “Prelude” show that the band isn’t afraid to get their fingers dirty. They have a raunchy rock presence that is reminiscent of Valient Thorr with muscular drum kicks and rankling guitar cuts. They produce steady guitar flames and hard rock madness that is affiliated with Kiss, which is demonstrated in tracks like “Burning Question” and “Sidewalks.” The hard rock intonations of “Sounds Like a Cop Out” sound infallibly like the theme songs used in the ‘70s TV series Starsky and Hutch. What is interesting about Lords and Barons' music is the songs fully embrace the rebellious spirit of the ‘70s without sounding like copycats. Lords and Barons begin coming into their own during the incremental buildups and breakdowns of “Wile” and the modern metal lava that bubbles up through “Countdown.” The rhythmic hooks create massive blow outs and rescinding movements that move with an arousing grumble through the melodic flow.
Most tracks on Sangre Azul demonstrate riotous guitar shreds, clinching drum thrusts, and the hard-crusted vocals affiliated with bands like Kiss and Valient Thorr. This is the norm for hard rock stalwarts and Lords and Barons rely on this measuring rod for their songs. It helps if you like ‘70s hard rock, but as long as you enjoy being swept away by tempests, Lords and Barons' music will feel gratifying.
Valient Thorr, The Showdown, Kiss
myspace.com/lordsandbarons (http://www.myspace.com/lordsandbarons)
Record Label: None
Release Date: March 2008
Los Angeles, California has been the setting for many different musical styles, but Lords and Barons eclipse them all as far as reaching into rock ‘n’ roll’s archives by presenting songs that still have their ‘70s hard rock roots attached. The band’s debut album Sangre Azul, has a hard rock luster that was prevalent when Kiss peaked; for natives of the surfing capitol of the USA, they have a touch of southern metal fusing their raging rock gusts with guitar burns as charring as The Showdown. The whipping, tearing, and tussling that the band members take their songs through manufactures passages of ramming torpedoes that hit hard, forcing you to follow in their wake. If there is one effect that Lords and Barons' music will have on you, it's that the band will take you with them through their whirlwind tempests.
Band members Kurt (lead vocals), Jake (guitar), and Jannea (drums) reveal very little about themselves, but their songs speak volumes. “Avast Ye” has charging drum rolls lodged under the forceful vocals as if the band is gearing up to confront a battle, and the hard rock throttles of “Schema” and “Prelude” show that the band isn’t afraid to get their fingers dirty. They have a raunchy rock presence that is reminiscent of Valient Thorr with muscular drum kicks and rankling guitar cuts. They produce steady guitar flames and hard rock madness that is affiliated with Kiss, which is demonstrated in tracks like “Burning Question” and “Sidewalks.” The hard rock intonations of “Sounds Like a Cop Out” sound infallibly like the theme songs used in the ‘70s TV series Starsky and Hutch. What is interesting about Lords and Barons' music is the songs fully embrace the rebellious spirit of the ‘70s without sounding like copycats. Lords and Barons begin coming into their own during the incremental buildups and breakdowns of “Wile” and the modern metal lava that bubbles up through “Countdown.” The rhythmic hooks create massive blow outs and rescinding movements that move with an arousing grumble through the melodic flow.
Most tracks on Sangre Azul demonstrate riotous guitar shreds, clinching drum thrusts, and the hard-crusted vocals affiliated with bands like Kiss and Valient Thorr. This is the norm for hard rock stalwarts and Lords and Barons rely on this measuring rod for their songs. It helps if you like ‘70s hard rock, but as long as you enjoy being swept away by tempests, Lords and Barons' music will feel gratifying.
Valient Thorr, The Showdown, Kiss
myspace.com/lordsandbarons (http://www.myspace.com/lordsandbarons)