Review by Rachel Jablonski
Of dog faced
gods
Manifest in the night
The sacred rights
Handed down through times of old…
You may recognize the passage from the album Low: Chapter 7, Verse 2. Ah the old Testament, influential still today. One of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area around 1980 AD, Testament has not only left their mark on the world of metal, but has inspired much upcoming talent as well. One such encouraged band, Dog Faced Gods, titled after the Testament song of the same name, seeks to leave their own mark with their debut release Stoned Council.
Stoned Council is a straight up mix of rap, rock, heavy riffs, slow acoustics, and classic rock guitar grooves. The album, produced by Bobby Brooks (POD, Zebrahead) on the San Manuel Reservation in Southern California, is raw in sound allowing the listener to feel as if the music is live. The fifteen song compilation allows Dog Faced Gods to demonstrate their diverse sound and abilities.
Guitar work is the essence of Dog Faced Gods. String induced grooves dominate each and every song. The influence of classic rock artists of the 60’s and 70’s is easily noticed through the guitar styling. Heavy riffs, acoustic pieces, and solos make Stoned Council an unpredictable entity.
The heavy sound of the album could probably be best exemplified with the track “But Me.” A great rhythm and guitar riff persists through the song. The dark groove is steady like the passing segments of the center line on a divided highway as seen through the window of a rapidly moving car. In other words, it is an appropriate and great song to listen to while driving. The best acoustic song on the album would have to be “No One Left.” The riff is soothing and the vocals clearly match the mood in word and style. Needless, however, is the absolutely ridiculous song called “Water Pipe, Bong.” My admiration for Dog Faced Gods might have remained stable and satisfied were it not for this track. Obviously the content of the song is about smoking pot, but that is not necessarily the downfall. Horrible lyrics, it’s not a water pipe it’s a bong...it’s not a water pipe it’s a bong… bong bong bong bong bong… I do it when I’m having sex… I do it when I’m in my ride… I even smoke with my kids… it’s not a water pipe it’s a bong... it's not a water pipe it's a bong... bong bong bong bong bong… are complete with a horribly choppy and boring guitar part. I do not know what the band may have been thinking when this song was composed and then added to the album, but the song feels out of place and ruins listening enjoyment half way through the album.
Regardless, there are sections of the album that are gratifying and luckily the tail end demonstrates some of the best tracks available. With diversity and essential entertaining guitar work, Stoned Council is worth a listen.