CLUTCH – STRANGE COUSINS FROM THE WEST

Opening this package was certainly a visual treat – the digi-pak artwork is a multiplicity of fold-out pop-up mythological maps and surrealist etchings. Sonically, it’s less inspiring, but a nonetheless richly executed affair. This being the ninth studio album for Wisonsin prog-metal gods Clutch, it’s not surprising they’ve opted to shift their style into something a bit removed from their signature, air-tight progressive metal squalor. This album borrows heavily from the soil-stained dark blues rock of the 1970’s, notably Deep Purple or Led Zeppelin (whose influence is plainly reflected in the album’s sleeve artwork, symbols and all), and why not? It’s a potent formula – the guitars a little fatter and less niggly, lead man Neil Fallon’s vocals are thick with healthy aggression and surprisingly soulful clarity. The best tracks are the real stoners – Motherless Child and Witchdoctor, whose roaring epic style really is a transportation into another time and place. This is all very healthy, hard rock – a difficult genre to impress across the board, but fans of the band will undoubtedly rejoice in the professionalism and verve of this release.

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