Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Anvil Head - Kingdom Of Heat
 | A series of CD's from Anvil Head has carried you from acoustic to metal surf, where Kingdom Of Heat has landed. Most of the tracks here are very well written, with melodic lead lines, well arranged additional guitar parts, and plenty of textural contrasts. I expected much less interesting music before I heard Anvil Head, but now I'm a fan. Surf imagery in thoroughly modern instrumentals. |
Picks: Ride The Wave, Moon Over Moreton, Summer Highway, Australia Felix, Meat Pie In Paradise, Memory Laps, Taifun, The Coast, Terra Firma
Track by Track Review
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
Heavy chords playing a very cool progression along with modern guitar driving a melody laden with coastal imagery. "Ride The Wave" has a gray wave feel, with dark verses separated by optimistic ones.
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
An excellent rhythm pattern and spatial melody line presented in an open tone create a lagoon vision with a decidedly modern edge. Delayed sustain and round tone riding on a happy melody.
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
"Summer Highway" is an aptly titled song. It conveys an open road on the way to big waves at dawn. The guitar interplay on this track is very strong. Layered sound with cool tom toms and chunk.
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
This is an easy going track with very well written guitar lines. The guitar parts compliment each other well, and suit the solid rock back track. Very nice arranging.
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
Keyboard leads the way above a cycling rhythm pattern. The backtrack is pure modern rock. Some parts are playful and optimistic, while others border on bluesy in a heavy British manner.
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
A splendid melody line floats on a mid tempo backtrack. "Memory Laps" is light in feeling and heavy in tone. Despite its title, "Memory Laps" stays with you, keeping the lovely melody's peaceful imagery in sight. Very nice!
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
Very cool drums stand out in this layered guitar track. Three guitar parts fill the aural span with an infectious rhythm, enhancing second guitar, and engaging lead. I found that "Taifun" really grew on me. Wonderful!
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
"Mud Devil" employs a more angular riff in the beginning, and then moves to a modest cycling riff with very heavy tone.
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
Chunky, muted chord chops, and long sustain with layered guitar lines. "Shut The Gate" is heavy, dark, and built around the rhythm guitar licks.
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
Big chamber reverb on the kick drum ominously warns of the circular riffs that follow. Heavy metal chords lumber while a fluid lead paints a much brighter picture. "The Coast" is enticing, well crafted, and uses just enough guitar parts to make it very engaging and friendly.
Surf Grunge (Instrumental)
This is one of those driving instros, with open road on a motorcycle is written all over it. "Terra Firma" is a splendid track for the wind in your face on a curvy coastal road. Very nice!