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Animalhead - Single Review: Stone Face Killer

22 May 2019 // A review by Kris Raven

Auckland’s favourite lads Animalhead on the lash are back with their massive third single Stone Face Killer. The ferocious trio are known for their chunky and funky riffs, massive groove, dabs of rap and blues, soaking it in rock and roll and turning out the party bangers for a throw down.

Fading in with a delayed wah wah, the tunes riff is instantly recognizable and hooky. The intro delivers a small taste of the upcoming (punch in the face) rock and roll tuneage, before moving into the verse. Josh Obrien’s distorted but clear rolling bass carries on the tasty lick whilst vocalist Campbell Mickell commands the microphone, he delivers with strong confidence before drummer/co-vocalist Danny Rooke takes the lead with a more aggressive punk bravado, the combo of both vocals is just one of many exciting and awesome parts of the Animalhead machine.

As the chorus rolls out, the sing along line of Stone Face Killer is anthemic, but it's when we roll into the glorious F U * K Y O U section, so much attitude, so much cool. Rage did it with Killing in the Name and now Animalhead. It’s just so catchy. While the verses deliver the story line of the broken-hearted and the chorus gets us moving in unison, it’s the multi-faceted bridge that really shows the musicianship and song-writing class of these lads. “Eyes for Eyes” slowly builds the next phase of the song and screams out over the chorus before we land at the start of the epic bridge.

Not only the lead vocalist, Campbell is the lead guitarist who is about to deliver the shredding of a lifetime, it's thrash metal (getting that 80’s Master of Puppets vibe), it's punk, it’s just super mad skills. Backed by Josh holding down the rhythm and Danny smashing out solid Travis Barker-eqsue flair and fills throughout. The song moves through various rhythmic levels before coming to a halt and that massive SFK riff goes even bigger, ready to break into the crushing mosh breakdown with half time head bang results.

The great thing about this recording, is they have captured some of the big live feel and energy. The Song was recorded at Auckland’s LAB studio, before having one of the hardest working producer/mixer/engineers in NZ music today, Zorran Mendonsa putting his magic touches on the mix and then mastering overseas. This has really worked in their favour, by capturing the raw feel of Animalhead but refining it with the studio touch.

Yet again, Animalhead deliver another banger of a song, its different to their other two current singles but in the same vein, it's their brand and their signature sound delivered only how these lads can do it. If you haven’t been lucky enough to see these guys live then I suggest you get out to their next show (I may be a little bias), they bring the noise every time.

Rating: ( 5 / 5 )
 

About Animalhead

Renowned for their tight live performances and hard hitting riffs, Animalhead have been busy since 2015 - cooking up heavy riffs, tight grooves and fat bass lines. This West Auckland Rock trio channel an energetic and fierce sound - the likes of Rage Against the Machine and Royal Blood, to deliver a highly energetic and frantic show.

Comprising of drummer/vocalist Dan Rooke, bassist/vocalist Josh Obrien and guitarist/vocalist Campbell Mickell. This heavy hitting, party-going three piece formed in 2015 after Dan returned from Europe. Cam and Josh had just parted ways with their previous band and wanted to keep the music flowing, after a long awaited catch up at Hallertau Animalhead was brewed...

Animalhead have always been a crowd favourite, getting the party started for such NZ bands like Dead Favours, Skinny Hobos, Alien Weaponry and Head Like A Hole. We are excited to see where this band goes...

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Animalhead

Releases

Blood, Sweat & Beers
Year: 2020
Type: Album

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