Creeper
Formed in 2006, Dallas based Creeper have been out there, spreading the word about their music and touring the gig scene, building a solid following for their music based on the simplicity of AC/DC melded with the heaviness of Slayer (according to guitarist Jimi Fritz). Setting out to write songs with a hook, a groove and old school guitar solos, the band went through their fair share of line up changes before settling on a solid set up in 2009, and continued to prove themselves on the live scene, sharing the stage with the likes of Rigor Mortis, Loudness, Dio’s Disciples, Lynch Mob and the mighty HELLYEAH amongst others. Now primed with their debut album Welcome to Room #9, the band seemed primed to build on their fan base, develop their sound, and grow bigger than ever before – so what of the album?
Kicking off with M For Murder we’re launched into a groove orientated melee of hammering guitar work, pounding rhythms and roaring vocal lines, immediately dialling the tone onto heavy and making sure their message is hammered home. Powerful and raw throughout, the blistering guitar work is only out done by the soaring vocal line we’re presented with, offering you something to chant along to, something to join in with, and something that’s sure to get live crowds moving from the word go. Even going so far as to chuck in one of the most serious guitar solos I’ve come across in a long while, the opening track here shows that Creeper are here, and damn they mean business!
Matching the power of the opening track with Now, we’re once again led into a heavy mix of pumping guitar lines and pounding drums, the mix sounding almost akin to the likes of Pantera in some ways, yet with a more updated feel to things. Raw and in your face, this is another track which is going to get you down to a venue to check them out, and make you love every second of what you’re hearing – from the pummelling riffs through to the screaming vocal lines, the mix allows you to connect with everything that’s going on and take it all in. The same vibe continues into Room #9, this time adding in a strange sense of foreboding as things get going whilst still focusing on the sheer power of the elements within the band. Chunky guitar lines stick to a slow beat from the drums, whilst the vocals seem to echo out with a haunting quality, luring you into listen harder whilst at the same time, pushing the boundaries of the track at hand. Slow yet supremely heavy throughout, the simplicity of this track is what makes it so beautiful, showing that sometimes, toning back and keeping things straight forward can be the best plan possible.
Moving on to Powers Of Hell, the drums are allowed a centre spotlight for the introduction of things, setting the beat and getting you moving from the word go, before launching you into a rolling melee of drums, bass and distorted guitar work. Once again adopting a pace that’s perfectly suited for the live scene, this track evokes images of rolling pits, pulsating venues and crowds lapping up the music from the stage – a live favourite in the waiting for sure. This is an approach which the band seem to carry out with aplomb, demonstrating their understanding of their music, as well as their ability when it comes to performing the tracks themselves.
Shifting on through the far softer and laid back opening moments of Noone Will Hear, the mighty Push It, the fast paced and raw The Majic and the updated NWOBHM track that is She Can’t Take It No More, track after track is thrown out for consideration, each one showing off what the band are capable of and keeping you listening, begging for another taste. Reaching a serious high point in the form of Timmy things take a twisted turn, telling the story of Timmy and his way of dealing with life. Opening with hypnotic bass rhythms and eerie childrens voices, the strange and tormented opening moments of the track soon give way to a hammering mix of rolling drums, screeching vocal lines and pummelling riffery, forming a track which is strange in some ways, yet strangely satisfying in other ways. Massively heavy from start to finish, the strangeness of this track is forgive simply because the track works so well – just prepare yourself for what you’re going to hear!
Returning to the opening style as we reach War Machine we’re once again thrown into a pit of all out devastation, the pace set by rolling drums and the power defined by distorted guitar work, rumbling bass and those awesome vocal lines. Offering up a sound that’s akin to HELLYEAH and Mudvayne style stuff, the groove orientated mix on offer here is another example of what to expect from Creeper on the live scene, definitely giving us reason to get out to see them.
It’s only then left to Screaming Demon to close things, finishing with one almighty beast of a track designed to get pits moving, people jumping, and everyone loving what they’re hearing. Rolling drums, roaring vocals, soaring guitar work and that incredible deep and powerful bass, this track is fast paced, in your face, and one final demonstration of the monster that is Creeper, leaving you satisfied at what you’ve heard, but knowing you want to go through it all over again.
I didn’t really know what to expect from Creeper when I went into this one, but what I’ve been presented with is a band who have got power, distortion and all out devastation running through their veins. Blisteringly heavy throughout, this album is one which is going to leave you breathless, quivering and scared for your life, but have you coming back time and time again.
To find out more about Creeper, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Kicking off with M For Murder we’re launched into a groove orientated melee of hammering guitar work, pounding rhythms and roaring vocal lines, immediately dialling the tone onto heavy and making sure their message is hammered home. Powerful and raw throughout, the blistering guitar work is only out done by the soaring vocal line we’re presented with, offering you something to chant along to, something to join in with, and something that’s sure to get live crowds moving from the word go. Even going so far as to chuck in one of the most serious guitar solos I’ve come across in a long while, the opening track here shows that Creeper are here, and damn they mean business!
Matching the power of the opening track with Now, we’re once again led into a heavy mix of pumping guitar lines and pounding drums, the mix sounding almost akin to the likes of Pantera in some ways, yet with a more updated feel to things. Raw and in your face, this is another track which is going to get you down to a venue to check them out, and make you love every second of what you’re hearing – from the pummelling riffs through to the screaming vocal lines, the mix allows you to connect with everything that’s going on and take it all in. The same vibe continues into Room #9, this time adding in a strange sense of foreboding as things get going whilst still focusing on the sheer power of the elements within the band. Chunky guitar lines stick to a slow beat from the drums, whilst the vocals seem to echo out with a haunting quality, luring you into listen harder whilst at the same time, pushing the boundaries of the track at hand. Slow yet supremely heavy throughout, the simplicity of this track is what makes it so beautiful, showing that sometimes, toning back and keeping things straight forward can be the best plan possible.
Moving on to Powers Of Hell, the drums are allowed a centre spotlight for the introduction of things, setting the beat and getting you moving from the word go, before launching you into a rolling melee of drums, bass and distorted guitar work. Once again adopting a pace that’s perfectly suited for the live scene, this track evokes images of rolling pits, pulsating venues and crowds lapping up the music from the stage – a live favourite in the waiting for sure. This is an approach which the band seem to carry out with aplomb, demonstrating their understanding of their music, as well as their ability when it comes to performing the tracks themselves.
Shifting on through the far softer and laid back opening moments of Noone Will Hear, the mighty Push It, the fast paced and raw The Majic and the updated NWOBHM track that is She Can’t Take It No More, track after track is thrown out for consideration, each one showing off what the band are capable of and keeping you listening, begging for another taste. Reaching a serious high point in the form of Timmy things take a twisted turn, telling the story of Timmy and his way of dealing with life. Opening with hypnotic bass rhythms and eerie childrens voices, the strange and tormented opening moments of the track soon give way to a hammering mix of rolling drums, screeching vocal lines and pummelling riffery, forming a track which is strange in some ways, yet strangely satisfying in other ways. Massively heavy from start to finish, the strangeness of this track is forgive simply because the track works so well – just prepare yourself for what you’re going to hear!
Returning to the opening style as we reach War Machine we’re once again thrown into a pit of all out devastation, the pace set by rolling drums and the power defined by distorted guitar work, rumbling bass and those awesome vocal lines. Offering up a sound that’s akin to HELLYEAH and Mudvayne style stuff, the groove orientated mix on offer here is another example of what to expect from Creeper on the live scene, definitely giving us reason to get out to see them.
It’s only then left to Screaming Demon to close things, finishing with one almighty beast of a track designed to get pits moving, people jumping, and everyone loving what they’re hearing. Rolling drums, roaring vocals, soaring guitar work and that incredible deep and powerful bass, this track is fast paced, in your face, and one final demonstration of the monster that is Creeper, leaving you satisfied at what you’ve heard, but knowing you want to go through it all over again.
I didn’t really know what to expect from Creeper when I went into this one, but what I’ve been presented with is a band who have got power, distortion and all out devastation running through their veins. Blisteringly heavy throughout, this album is one which is going to leave you breathless, quivering and scared for your life, but have you coming back time and time again.
To find out more about Creeper, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls