Category: Album Reviews, News
Tags: corrosion of conformity

COC are a strange proposition these days. During the 80s, they were the ultimate punk metal crossover band, with a string of era- defining hardcore albums. By 1991′s Blind and the addition of singer and guitarist Pepper Keenan, they gradually turned towards a bluesier, Southern metal sound. The albums that followed were extremely influential in the burgeoning stoner rock movement of the time and their last one, In The Arms of God was probably their masterpiece in my opinion. However, for the past few years Keenan has been busy with his other awesome band Down (with Phil Anselmo and assorted members of Crowbar and Eyehategod), so COC decided to continue with Mike Dean on vocals and bass, Woody Weatherman on guitar and Reed Mullin on drums (the line- up of their legendary Animosity album).

It’s difficult to know what to expect from all this. And yet, the album is a huge success. For the first time since Blind their metal and punk tendencies are welded together so comprehensively. This is the work of a band who is wiser but still very very angry, meaning that their corrossive hardcore is tempered with slower tempos and a sludgier, doomier feel. Corrosion of Conformity is not just a record but a statement of intent. It’s not an easy listen but it burns with a rare intensity that makes it a necessary one.

(-Dimitris Kontogiannis-)

About the Author: CnB