Corrosion of Conformity started out in the 80s as pretty much a punk band, with Blind giving them serious cred in the hardcore and metal community. But with 1994’s Deliverance the sound and vibe shifted with the addition of vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan. Keenan brought a heavy 70s hard rock vibe, along with Sabbath vibes to the band. They hit big in the 90s alternative scene with songs “Albatross” and “Cleanse My Wounds”, the latter even being an MTV hit.
CoC followed Deliverance up with a series of big riff albums that split time between crushing metal and more southern rock feels(much like Mastodon did after their initial album run.) Albums like Wiseblood, America’s Volume Dealer, and In The Arms Of God split the difference between chugging heavy metal and southern-tinged hard rock.
It’s been 8 years since the band’s last album, the crushing No Cross No Crown. The band returned to the studio and have given us Good God/Baad Man, a nice mix of the band’s sludgy metal and the more chugging rockers. It’s a welcome return from the Raleigh southern metal icons.
Good God/Baad Man is a concept album, according to singer Pepper Keenan. “Our producer, Warren Riker, kept calling it Dark Side Of The Doom. In my head, it’s a weird love letter to all things rock ‘n’ roll. We used that for the freedom to go in different directions. Each album is its own tiny universe and has its own identity.”
The “Good God” side is the heavier tracks. “Good God?/Final Dawn” builds in a mix of Sabbath riffage and NWOBHM, chugging rhythm and fuzzed out guitars reign supreme. Likewise, “Your Or Me” bulldozes through with metal supremacy and Pepper Keenan’s distinct vocal delivery. And “Run For Your Life” spreads out over nearly 10 minutes of doom-y riffage that hangs somewhere between early Soundgarden and touches of Bridge of Sighs-era Robin Trower.
“Baad Man” brings in the other side of the coin with some southern metal flair, bluesy with lots of attitude. Lynyrd Skynyrd with a healthy dose of Electric Wizard. “Asleep On The Killing Floor” is an all out speed metal ripper, while “Swallowing The Anchor” is all attitude and groove-heavy. Album closer “Forever Amplified” pays tribute to friends and fellow musicians who have passed.
Good God/Baad Man is a welcome return of one of America’s great metal bands. Long live Corrosion of Conformity.
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Uncle Meat just saw them two nights ago in Toronto!
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I saw they were playing up there! Very cool!
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