JAVELINA

Philly's got a reputation as a tough town and native sons JAVELINA ably demonstrate the musical side of that equation with its self-titled debut. Like the pugilist that goes 15 rounds, lets out an obnoxious laugh, and asks for another 15, JAVELINA punishes the listener with nine sweat-soaked mashers that come off like MASTODON, RAGING SPEEDHORN, LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, and MOTÖRHEAD in a no holds barred street brawl.

A natural sound that emphasizes the thunderous, yet groovy, drumming of Neanderthal skin basher "Erik" meets the beefy riffs of guitarists/vocalists Mike B and Chubbrock and the motoring four strings of bassist/vocalist Herb. More like an early, sludgified MASTODON than anything else, one still hears snippets (particularly those with the unhinged screech vocals and over amped guitar lines) of LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, and yet JAVELINA does not sound exactly like any of the previously mentioned groups. The band's sound may not be completely original, but JAVELINA's identity forces its way through the ear canals convincingly. This is the kind of album where visions of smoke billowing locomotives barreling, nearly out of control, down the tracks are frequently conjured when songs like the nasty, up-tempo motherfucker "Asbestos" explodes out of the speakers.

The common thread is the sheer intensity of the attack, yet the album is quite varied from a compositional standpoint, as songs like "Throttlerod" with its dirty swing and boogie slams demonstrate. The mix of doomy/bluesy licks, lazy twin lead section, and big, lumbering cadence on "Architect", as well as a charging bull called "Gored to Death" (featuring a mammoth tribal drum segment),further prove the point. A little KYUSS makes its way into the multi-textured "Tyrants" and Erik further exhibits his worth on "Clergy of Snakes".

The rhythms on this baby are earth shaking, the guitars fat and gnarly, and the vocals choked with rage. It's quite simple really; this is 100 percent bullshit-free heavy music. If you see these guys walking down the street, make damn sure you get your ass out of the way.