I'm not sure if there's a big stoner rock scene in Brazil, but if there are more bands down there as good as the Hellbenders, I'm going to need to head down there to do a full investigation. On their debut full-length album, Brand New Fear, the Brazilians unleash a massive dose of up-tempo, hard-edged stoner metal that is bound to impress fans from all corners of the stoner rock/doom/metal universe.
Kicking off with a riff that would fit right in on a Valley of the Sun record, Brand New Fear grabs the listener by the balls immediately and doesn't let up through the first five tracks. There's something for everyone here; Orange Goblin-esque rockers, Kyuss-influenced jam parts, smooth Fu Manchu California grooves, gravelly vocals, a killer bass solo on "Whorehouse Murder", tons of gang vocals for the East Coast thrashers, spectacular chorus hooks, riffs, riffs, and more monster riffs, and even a sub-two minute punk rocker about female genitalia. (Note: I don't usually condone goofball lyrics, but this one works for some reason.)
The production is clear and the sound is huge. This is definitely one to crank up on the highway in your conversion van or El Camino. The album does drag a bit in its second half, but I wouldn't say that there's any filler to be found on Brand New Fear. Every track has something that grabs your attention, and the record is absolutely worth a second and even third spin right out of the box. While I'm giving Hellbenders the dreaded "stoner rock" title, I think Brand New Fear is more of a beer drinking album than a pot smoking album. That said, I'm sure you'll all enjoy this one no matter what you're imbibing. This is just super fun rock and roll, played loud and fast and heavy. Highly recommended.
Kicking off with a riff that would fit right in on a Valley of the Sun record, Brand New Fear grabs the listener by the balls immediately and doesn't let up through the first five tracks. There's something for everyone here; Orange Goblin-esque rockers, Kyuss-influenced jam parts, smooth Fu Manchu California grooves, gravelly vocals, a killer bass solo on "Whorehouse Murder", tons of gang vocals for the East Coast thrashers, spectacular chorus hooks, riffs, riffs, and more monster riffs, and even a sub-two minute punk rocker about female genitalia. (Note: I don't usually condone goofball lyrics, but this one works for some reason.)
The production is clear and the sound is huge. This is definitely one to crank up on the highway in your conversion van or El Camino. The album does drag a bit in its second half, but I wouldn't say that there's any filler to be found on Brand New Fear. Every track has something that grabs your attention, and the record is absolutely worth a second and even third spin right out of the box. While I'm giving Hellbenders the dreaded "stoner rock" title, I think Brand New Fear is more of a beer drinking album than a pot smoking album. That said, I'm sure you'll all enjoy this one no matter what you're imbibing. This is just super fun rock and roll, played loud and fast and heavy. Highly recommended.
Editor's Notes: Hellbenders will make their American live debut next week (3/12) with a couple of showcases at SXSW: Casa Brasil showcase @ Icenhauer's (1 PM) & SXSW official showcase @ Metal & Lace (11 PM). To purchase a digital copy of Brand New Fear, or to hear samples, click on the link below. - JO
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