BLIND DOG - Captain Dog Rides Again

BLIND DOG - Captain Dog Rides Again
Meteor City Records

Introduced to the world through the “Burn One Up” Roadrunner compilation (1997), Blind Dog return with their second full-length opus under the title “Captain Dog Rides Again”. Remaining true to their convincing melting-pot of Sabbath meets Sir Lord Baltimore meets Kyuss the record focuses on chunky, tuned-down riffs and a sludge-filled bottom end. Tobias Nilsson’s graveled baritone remains center giving guitarist Joakim Thell the ability to swirl around in a prog-tinged haze and strike when the iron’s hot.

Recorded in Berno Studios, Malmo, Sweden “…Rides Again” follows closely the formula mapped out in 2000’s “The Last Adventures of Captain Dog” yet expands out into more spaced-out jams with “Follow The Fools” and “Back Off” were they hit a retro-King Crimson mix. Nilsson’s bass playing and Thomas Elenvik drumming are the records backbone whereas Thell paints in the color – his solo in “Unsellable” is amazing. Like all trios, the band lean heavily on each other and in return allow each their spot under the lights. Stoner overload still remains supreme with the dark riff of “There Must Be Better Ways Of Losing Your Mind.”

“Let It Go” rises above the rest cooking up a funk hybrid with elements of Soundgarden and Red Hot Chili Peppers in a chugging ass kicking drive. “Iron Cage” is another punishing assault – full on fury with some very cool drum effects. Straight on rockers like “Fading Memories” and “Don’t Ask Me Where I Stand” keep it simple, burning and power-hungry. Both “Would I Make You Believe” and “Be The Same” are the slow numbers in the mix. More than a set course they expand in a Bowie kind of way breathing a variety of ideas and phrasing to songs structure. Creatively free.

Website: Meteor City

Review by Todd Smith http://www.thecutting-edge.net/