InTuneReview :: The Bad Channels - Excelerator

When I think of Cornwall, I can't help but conjure up images of Rick Steins, standing on a beach talking about the local fishing industries, but that has all changed with hearing local band The Bad Channels' debut album, "Excelerator".

Consisting of Simon (Vocals/Lead Guitar) Sam (Drums) Jake (Bass) and Denn (Guitar/Backing Vocals), the lads are known locally for being one of Cornwall's more formidable live bands that have the ability to make your head bang with their unique blend of Stoner Metal, Doom and Hardcore, and their debut album has managed to capture this very well. Remember those nights hanging out in the shed/bedroom with your mates, dull lighting, street signs and posters on the wall, playing cards and smoking funny things? Well I think I just found your next soundtack.

The album kicks off with exploding drums followed by a laid back groove that would have any punter rocking their head back and forth hearing this for the first time. And it doesn't stop there. The album moves on gaining a little more pace and the riffs get heavier along with some catchy chorus lines. Simon shows a great maturity in his vocal style, there's definitely something special about a voice that can go from smooth to guttural in the blink of an eye, and they're well backed up by Denn throughout the album.

The songs are actually very well arranged, and they are always mixing it up...but that said, they're not over doing it and keeping it simple, but yet still somehow elaborate. There's no over the top drum fills or crazy guitar solos, they just seem to just keep the songs rolling along in that unique Stoner Metal style. There are some very catchy riffs, and with the bass and drums creating an awesome backbone to the crunching, sludgy guitar work of Simon and Denn, you feel as though you could just reach out and grab the songs with your fists.

The overall feeling of the album is raw and dirty, and the change ups will have you nodding your head and smiling in no time. For a first release, it is well worth a listen and I can only guess that they will have a lot more to come.

To listen to "The Bad Channels", drop into their facebook page here, grab a few beers, sit down, press play and check them out!

"The Bad Channels - Excelerator", out soon.