Artist: Conan’s First Date
Title: Effigies
Type: Album
Label: Self Release

One thing’s for sure, Hungary’s own Conan’s First Date sure know how to write a throat grabbing guitar riff! Title track ‘Effigy’ blasts out of the speakers in a wave of ear drum bashing sludge and roll, a swaggering mix of southern rock and metal ending on the classic Arnie quote, “crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women!” It may have had a run time of 3 minutes 35, pretty long if compared to any modern pop single that pollutes the airwaves, but it just blasted by all too quickly, and had me immediately hitting the replay button for another dose. ‘Killing Machine’ throws some of Mastodon’s harsher vocals and progressive riffs into the mix, whilst ‘Million Miles From Home’ has an almost grungy, early Stone Temple Pilots feel about it, mixed with a little bit of space rock sensibility.

Standout track for me is undoubtedly ‘Hypnochrist’ a number that manages to seamlessly progress from death growl vocals, through hardcore double kick drum break downs, and into a laid back stoner drone, all without jarring, just merging into one epic metal melting pot.

Throughout this album cum EP, the influences of the likes of Crowbar and Corrosion of Conformity abound; you might even imagine Down with more hunger and less self indulgence to get an idea of the band’s sound. Better yet, don’t imagine the sound of ‘Effigies’, buy it. Do I have a criticism of this release? Yep, at barely 25 minutes long it’s far too short! More please.

http://www.myspace.com/conansfirstdate