Another band that existed in the strange kind of town, just like KingsX and Atomic Opera, are Galactic Cowboys. In fact, they were very close to the mighty X with members guesting on each other’s projects and indeed, basing themselves in the same town.
After being on a major label for their first two albums, they were dropped by Geffen and no one at the time seemed to take much notice of the demos they had for this, their third album. Along came Brian Slagel from Metal Blade, who gave the band a lifeline and signed them on the strength of the demos and let them make the album they wanted to.
At times, this record is very angry and the band were obviously pissed off at the misfortune at the hands of the majors, so all their frustrations came out in the songs. There are still elements of those great vocal melodies and harmonies, but mixed with the heavy guitar and low end groove, is one heavy record indeed. Red Sun is the one track that really sets me alight. Very heavy riffing throughout and the vocal harmonies are so good. They actually do sound just like a Seattle band in places, which is ironic because that’s why Geffen dropped them.
Good album from a band flying against the groove.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
