Since we last discussed ‘em, perennial motor-stoner road dogs Throttlerod moved to Virginia from their native South Carolina, got themselves a new drummer, and largely abandoned the southern fired mudride they started out with. This new, twitchier version of the ol’ Rod is all about jagged punk/metal riffs and herky-jerk rhythms that bring to mind a less extreme version of Dixiecrust noise mongers like Jumbo’s Killcrane and Beaten Back to Pure. When I was peeling the plastic offa this one this morning, I had no idea I was in for such a pummeling. There is some amazing guitar work on this ‘un, though, especially the brain scrambling solo on “Horse Paw”, but there’s a lot of shouting and pounding and cracking of skulls to get there. So, you know, brace yourself. _______________________________________________

– Sleazegrinder