So your cowboy boots are secure around your rugged toes? Good. That red and black flannel is looking a little torn, which in the eyes of a redneck, defines perfection. With a belt buckle that could double as the gold plate for the WWE championship belt wrapped around your waist, it’s time to hop into your orange Camaro and haul ass to the local dive bar for a cold brew. But any good Southern soldier knows that haulin’ across the interstate isn’t complete without some bone-jarring rock for a soundtrack.
Fear not, cowboy. Ferret Records has just the band for you: Maylene and the Sons of Disaster.
II marks Maylene’s sophomore effort after their critically acclaimed self-titled album hit stores in October of 2005. Like Maylene’s self-titled release, II continues to blur the fine line between Southern rock and metal, creating a sound that’ll have you knocking back some moonshine with your metal horns in the air.
Probably the biggest ear-catcher on II is Dallas Taylor’s vocal performance. Fans of the groove metal/death core act Underoath will recognize that name as Taylor was the band’s original frontman. Instead of the emo-esque screams from Taylor’s past, II finds him with a Southern chime to his voice: almost as if he’s had a few too many marathons with some vintage whisky. “Memories of the Grove” kicks off with a raspy, yee-haw of a scream that sets the standard for Taylor on II. But Taylor isn’t afraid to break away from the standard with “Tale Of The Runways”; a southern ballad that fits as a soothing end to the riled up mayhem on the rest of the album. Here, Taylor really allows his voice to shine with a clean vocal performance that’s garnished with just enough Southern charm.
As I mentioned, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster are unquestionably influenced by Southern rock, so it comes as no surprise that the guitar riffs come out guns blazing, filled with leads and solos that bands like Skynyrd and .38 Special made popular. “Darkest Kin” furiously comes out of the gate with a groove lead that’ll get you out of your seat just like Taylor demands during the chorus. While the riffs bring up memories of Southern rock’s historic past, they start to become repetitive towards the conclusion of the album. “Wylie” and “Death In An Alcoholic” are throwaway songs that feel manufactured, rather than inspired. Just like the next morning after a full night of making buddies with good old Jack Daniels, you won’t remember those songs once their over.
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster will please their fans with this release, in addition to acquiring a few new fans of the Southern rock\\\\metal genre. Some repetitive riffs aside, II is worth a few spins while you’re cruising down the interstate at sundown.
"II" is on sale March 20, 2007 from Ferret.
