US foursome BLUE SNAGGLETOOTH was formed back in 2009, and released their debut album “Dimension Thule” two years later. Three year later, and with a totally revamped line-up, the band returned with their second album “Beyond Thule” in 2014, released through local label Arbco Records.
Blue Snaggletooth is a band that appears to be firmly cemented in the retro-oriented part of the hard rock scene, what old geezers like me would describe as first generation metal, and while I do get a slight vibe of early 80’s heavy metal from the contents of this album, it is the mid to late 1970’s that first and foremost comes to mind here. With a few peculiar twists I haven’t encountered all that often.
From what I can hear there’s at least two different recurring tendencies on this album, from a music and style perspective. On one hand the songs are generally uplifting and positive pieces. Not due to the tone and atmosphere, but due to the drive and energy that comes whenever you have a boogie style hard rock drive as the main foundation for the songs. Especially when the band hits out on a pacier run, but effective also when they opt for slower paced excursions. The second element present are guitars with what I’d describe as a typical Black Sabbath sound, with a rough, textured dark toned general mode of delivery with something of a bluesy undercurrent.
While the band does opt to visit some rather typical Black Sabbath and stoner rock territories here, the main aspect of this album for me is the manner in which they blend the original dark toned heavy metal of Black Sabbath and similar bands with the more vibrant and uplifting boogie style hard rock. At times in a truly excellent manner. Towards the end the band also pulls a few additional tricks, with an elongated psych-dripping guitar solo on Ahamkara and aggressive, punk style lead vocals on concluding track Transmutation.
If there is one weak point to address here, then it is that the vocals could be better. Main man Taylor does have a voice rather appropriate for this kind of music, but his voice does come across as somewhat flat for me, and when he push his voice there’s a tendency for it to become subtly wavering in tone control, and at times the vocals does sound rather strained. In short, my impression is that the vocals sounds a bit untrained and undeveloped. Not a big issue I suspect, and one that most listeners probably won’t even notice, but noticeable for someone sensitive to such aspects of music.
All in all, I do find this to be an enjoyable album however, an uplifting and energetic blend of good, old fashioned boogie style hard rock and old school doom metal Black Sabbath style, with a most charming left turn into vintage psychedelic hard rock on second to last piece Ahamkara. Those with a firm fascination for vintage hard rock and first generation metal should find this production to be a rewarding experience.
My rating: 76/100
