Album Review: Trouble - "The Skull"
by Slaybag
http://steelonbone.blogspot.com/
The Sound of Steel on Bone e-Zine
"Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two.
- Fredric Chopin
We're very familiar with Smith and Murray, Tipton and Downing, and Gorham and Robinson (or Moore or Snowy White or Sykes). But what about Wartell and Franklin? It seems this guitar tandem remains in a realm more obscure. Perhaps a lot of people would think of this duo as "B-listers". An undeserved grade, I assure you, and disrespectful to boot. Their riffs crept along like lumbering gods, invoking images of Lovecraftian doom and darkness. In contrast, their dual guitar harmonies floated above the riffage, triumphant while still retaining an ominous air. Wartell and Franklin are perhaps the band's most valuable asset, creating the peak musical moments on Trouble's solid sophomore effort, "The Skull".
As mentioned before, "The Skull"'s highlights are mainly the guitar work (the harmonies in particular), but it would be silly to overlook the rest of this talented Chicago group. Of exceptional note is vocalist, Eric Wagner. He has an extremely unique and identifiable voice. This works in the band's favor a majority of the time, but (like a good deal of vocalists and beer in general) it's not hard to see how this can be an acquired taste. The rhythm section of drummer Jeff Olson and bassist Sean McAllister do a fine job of providing ample support for the bludgeoning doom. They really don't take a bake seat to the rest of the music, but they are not inclined to showboat either.
Trouble is known as a great band of the "doom metal" style, a genre which is characterized by down tuned guitars, a fat, slow burning groove, the almighty RIFF, and shameless Black Sabbath aping in general. This may be personal taste, but I feel some of "The Skull"'s best moments happen above 90 bpm. When they decide to take a departure from the doom and pick up the pace (e.g. the second track, "Fear No Evil"), everything just really, really clicks. Perhaps it's personal taste, but the album would be even stronger with some more uptempo tunes.
All in all, you can't go wrong. Trouble is definitely a classic band and worth checking out.
< Below are two youtube video links of Trouble performing live on public television in 1982. The two songs are off their first album, "Psalm 9" (which is also excellent). I know this is a review of their second album, and it would make sense to include videos which feature some tracks off "The Skull", but I don't care. These videos are just too awesome. Also, it shows just how good these "doom" metalers can rage at a brisk tempo (Assassin). >
"The Skull" (Metal Blade Records, 1985)
Track listing:
1. "Pray for the Dead" 5:54
2. "Fear No Evil" 4:12
3. "The Wish" 11:35
4. "The Truth Is, What Is" 4:37
5. "Wickedness of Man" 5:46
6. "Gideon" 5:10
7. "The Skull" 5:50
Credits:
* Eric Wagner - vocals
* Bruce Franklin - guitars
* Rick Wartell - guitars
* Sean McAllister - bass
* Jeff Olson - drums
* * * * *
If you're in underground band looking to have your demo/album reviewed, feel free to shoot a streaming version of your music to:
ryansdrumstudio@gmail.com
http://steelonbone.blogspot.com/
by Slaybag
http://steelonbone.blogspot.com/
The Sound of Steel on Bone e-Zine
"Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two.
- Fredric Chopin
We're very familiar with Smith and Murray, Tipton and Downing, and Gorham and Robinson (or Moore or Snowy White or Sykes). But what about Wartell and Franklin? It seems this guitar tandem remains in a realm more obscure. Perhaps a lot of people would think of this duo as "B-listers". An undeserved grade, I assure you, and disrespectful to boot. Their riffs crept along like lumbering gods, invoking images of Lovecraftian doom and darkness. In contrast, their dual guitar harmonies floated above the riffage, triumphant while still retaining an ominous air. Wartell and Franklin are perhaps the band's most valuable asset, creating the peak musical moments on Trouble's solid sophomore effort, "The Skull".
As mentioned before, "The Skull"'s highlights are mainly the guitar work (the harmonies in particular), but it would be silly to overlook the rest of this talented Chicago group. Of exceptional note is vocalist, Eric Wagner. He has an extremely unique and identifiable voice. This works in the band's favor a majority of the time, but (like a good deal of vocalists and beer in general) it's not hard to see how this can be an acquired taste. The rhythm section of drummer Jeff Olson and bassist Sean McAllister do a fine job of providing ample support for the bludgeoning doom. They really don't take a bake seat to the rest of the music, but they are not inclined to showboat either.
Trouble is known as a great band of the "doom metal" style, a genre which is characterized by down tuned guitars, a fat, slow burning groove, the almighty RIFF, and shameless Black Sabbath aping in general. This may be personal taste, but I feel some of "The Skull"'s best moments happen above 90 bpm. When they decide to take a departure from the doom and pick up the pace (e.g. the second track, "Fear No Evil"), everything just really, really clicks. Perhaps it's personal taste, but the album would be even stronger with some more uptempo tunes.
All in all, you can't go wrong. Trouble is definitely a classic band and worth checking out.
< Below are two youtube video links of Trouble performing live on public television in 1982. The two songs are off their first album, "Psalm 9" (which is also excellent). I know this is a review of their second album, and it would make sense to include videos which feature some tracks off "The Skull", but I don't care. These videos are just too awesome. Also, it shows just how good these "doom" metalers can rage at a brisk tempo (Assassin). >
"The Skull" (Metal Blade Records, 1985)
Track listing:
1. "Pray for the Dead" 5:54
2. "Fear No Evil" 4:12
3. "The Wish" 11:35
4. "The Truth Is, What Is" 4:37
5. "Wickedness of Man" 5:46
6. "Gideon" 5:10
7. "The Skull" 5:50
Credits:
* Eric Wagner - vocals
* Bruce Franklin - guitars
* Rick Wartell - guitars
* Sean McAllister - bass
* Jeff Olson - drums
* * * * *
If you're in underground band looking to have your demo/album reviewed, feel free to shoot a streaming version of your music to:
ryansdrumstudio@gmail.com
http://steelonbone.blogspot.com/
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