Early Man - Closing In
Matador Records - OLE-648 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
This release is practically a no-brainer. A vocalist/guitarist who has got Ozzy's vocal stylings pretty much down to a T and summons big, fat, classic metal riffs with apparent ease. Powerhouse drumming courtesy of a five-hundred-pound glass/acrylic drum kit. Lyrics like 'I am an eagle made of steel' (from the track 'War Eagle', no less). If you're a metalhead from the old-school, there is absolutely no reason not to love this stuff. Okay, so the Ozzy-style vocals and lyrical stylings could make the more cynical think 'copyism', but goddamnit, listen to the riffs!
Consisting mainly of Ohio-based duo Mike Conte (guitar/vox) and Adam Bennati (drums), since 2003 the band have been signed to Matador Records, supported The Melvins and Mastodon, caused New York's 'The Hole' venue to sell out of beer, filmed a video for pure-Sabbath-tribute album highlight 'Death Is The Answer To My Prayers' with the director of 'Leprechaun 7: Short Changed', sponsored Kade Blackburn in the Wayne County (Utah) Demolition Derby, and generally rocked like motherfuckers wherever they've ended up. Closing In is no-scene, no-trend, no-bullshit metal as so few play it these image-obsessed days.
Honestly, there's not much else to say about this release - just go to the website, download some audio, check out the video, and make up your own mind. But generally, it's pretty safe to say that if you don't like this - well, you don't really like metal.
9.5/10
Official Early Man Website
Official Matador Records Website
Matador Records - OLE-648 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
This release is practically a no-brainer. A vocalist/guitarist who has got Ozzy's vocal stylings pretty much down to a T and summons big, fat, classic metal riffs with apparent ease. Powerhouse drumming courtesy of a five-hundred-pound glass/acrylic drum kit. Lyrics like 'I am an eagle made of steel' (from the track 'War Eagle', no less). If you're a metalhead from the old-school, there is absolutely no reason not to love this stuff. Okay, so the Ozzy-style vocals and lyrical stylings could make the more cynical think 'copyism', but goddamnit, listen to the riffs!
Consisting mainly of Ohio-based duo Mike Conte (guitar/vox) and Adam Bennati (drums), since 2003 the band have been signed to Matador Records, supported The Melvins and Mastodon, caused New York's 'The Hole' venue to sell out of beer, filmed a video for pure-Sabbath-tribute album highlight 'Death Is The Answer To My Prayers' with the director of 'Leprechaun 7: Short Changed', sponsored Kade Blackburn in the Wayne County (Utah) Demolition Derby, and generally rocked like motherfuckers wherever they've ended up. Closing In is no-scene, no-trend, no-bullshit metal as so few play it these image-obsessed days.
Honestly, there's not much else to say about this release - just go to the website, download some audio, check out the video, and make up your own mind. But generally, it's pretty safe to say that if you don't like this - well, you don't really like metal.
9.5/10
Official Early Man Website
Official Matador Records Website
