Ελληνικά
Before Asomvel’s debut in 2009 I don’t think many people knew those Britons, neither the filthy, punkish heavy metal they are playing, while in their veins there is plenty of alcohol but also plenty of punk rock as it was delivered to the masses by Motörhead. The group was founded in 1993 by guitarist Lenny Robinson, bassist/singer Jay-Jay Winter (R.I.P. 2010) and drummer Mark Wharton (ex Cathedral/Acid Reign). They introduced themselves with “The Blood Eye” (2002) and “To Hell With All The Rest” (2005) demos, while “Full Moon Dog” (2007) EP helped them preserve the good name they have made in the underground due to their concerts. In 2009 they released their first very good album “Kamikaze” which put them on the map for good. But an accident and the subsequent death of Jay-Jay Winter (which could have been the death of the band as well) seemed to have halted their plans. Despite the loss of the friend/co-worker (the rest are still mentioning him as a working member of the band, while every year there is a festival held to his memory, Full Moon Festival Dog) the decision to continue and to replace him with Conan (ex Deathwing) saved the game and gave them a push to move on. Up to “Knuckle Buster” there was an EP, “Stare at Death & Spit” (2011) and a split with Eliminator, Wytch Hazel, Ascalon entitled “Vol. 1” the same year.
There are no big differences from their previous works, in any case it didn’t seem as needed, only the choruses were a bit more worked out. The band is using often blues as bait and more often a mixture of rock and roll with big doses of punk to make their sound more accessible to larger crowds (the term ‘commercial’ seems invalid to say the least if you take in mind the kind of music Asomvel are playing). Old school riffs, endless soloing, macho vocals, never ending drum pounding and an overarching bass are the elements that comprise another band that honours the ground that gave birth to Tank, Raven and of course Motörhead. Responsible for the production was James Atkinson (Gentleman’s Pistols frontman). The simply perfect cover that without being innovative it stinks of ‘80s and reeks steel, made by Adam Zaars, designer of the Iron Fist magazine, has to be noted. Best songs are “Shoot Ya Down”, “Cash Whore” and “Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing”.
Genre: Heavy Metal
Country: U.K.
Label: Bad Omen Records
Year: 2013
