An Irish/French combo would maybe not be your first thought when thinking in terms of metal hook ups, but in Molybaron’s case it works really well. The only Irish component to this modern groove metal combo is vocalist Gary Kelly, whose voice has a distinct Irish lilt to the vocals.
Now, I’m gonna raise my hand in the air here as way back in the day I bought the album based on hearing just one song. But, that song is an undeniable classic and my favourite. Animals is such a good song that to lead off the album with it might just be suicide for the band. Not the case here my friends, as Lucifer next up is another bonafide modern metal classic. Think of Alter Bridge at their heaviest, mixed with Gojira at their most melodic, and you are maybe somewhere close. Superb stuff! Amongst The Boys And The Dead Flowers is slightly slower in pace, although a hint of Thin Lizzy and Irish folk music is present in this one. Prosperity Gospel has a hint of the post rock groove mixed into the heavy riffage. That folk song vibe continues into Side 1 close out track The Lighthouse, well at the intro at least, then that heavy post rock vibe continues.
The groove and riffing to Side 2 opener Slave To The Algorithm has a hint of bay area thrash to it, and is a kick ass tune. The bass line groove to Something For The Pain is killer, and that riffing reminds me a touch of Killing Joke. But when the heavy kicks in, this track rocks. The Hand That Feeds You opens with a battering groove and beat, and that Alter Bridge comparison is very evident. The Irish folk vibe is front and centre for Twenty Four Hours, until that seamless switch when the volume gets cranked. Plus, you get a surprise guest vocal from Whitfield Crane on the song. We close out the record with Ordinary Madness, a staccato grooved fat chugga beast.
Now, I have been told by people who should know better that the vocals are off putting. Well I will say this, they are the cherry on the cake for me. A bit of individuality goes a long way in a crowded metal market and I think this band are killer.
9.5/10 from The Grooveman.
