Red Fang is synonymous with heavy metal. These guys are slated to rip up the stage with support from Mongoloid Village, Lord Dying and Drunk Ladies at Branx on Saturday to celebrate the release of Red Fang’s new album, “Murder the Mountains,” available now from Relapse Records. Don’t wash your hair, don’t wear clean clothes and do bang your head.
Red Fang has been going strong in the Portland metro area for a couple of years. They stormed their debut performance on New Year’s Eve of 2006, tantalizing fans to want more. They put out a couple of EPs before they released the eponymous “Red Fang” on Sargent House Records in 2009.
Red Fang are an awesome group of heavy metal dudes that most certainly defy any type of “genrefication.” Touted as a wicked cross between Black Flag and Black Sabbath, they know no limits to rocking and rolling. Some of the musicians were involved with previous projects together—most notably Party Time, a heavy ripping band that anyone could jam out to.
Heavy distortion, punk rock riffs and blasting drums drive their own brand of rock and roll to epic proportions. “Murder the Mountains” will be an exceptional expression of radical rock. The track “Number Thirteen” is definitely one to watch out for; it’s got all the elements of a classic jam: stoner heavy vocals, ripping drum fills and a deafening guitar lead that shreds the gnar.
Their video for the epic rock-and-roll psychedelic tune “Prehistoric Dog” is hands down one of the best. After getting chased off by some live-action role players in the park, the dudes are on a mission—drink beer and build armor from the empties. The song riffs in and it’s like you’re there with the band in their kitchen helping them put away a 24-pack till they forge it up into some sweet plate mail armor. With their gear complete, it is time to ride to the park to give a little more than hell to the LARPers. The band quickly storms a clearing, easily defeating the nerds. The joke is truly on them in the end, though, as the enemy returns to axe, sword and spell-cast them to death.
Mongoloid Village is a complex mix of thrash, heavy and psychedelic awesome. Their recently released debut full-length album, “Folly,” features some heavy riffs, crazy sounds and awesome drums. Check out closing track “Ship of Fools” for an awesome psych-metal heavy time. Clocking in just shy of eight minutes, it’s more than worth the ride. A more-than-eerie guitar intro fades into some easy but altogether heavy-going guitar chords and simple backing drums. Mellow Rhodes keys kick in giving you a triumphant feeling. Check out the final minute for an all-expenses-paid trip to wizard mountain.
Lord Dying are a mixture of rock and roll, thrash, stoner riffs and anything else that flows out of their guitars, bass and drums. Check out their Facebook page for a few recordings of their sludge-driven, heavy-inspiring rock, especially the track “In a Frightful State of Gnawed Dismemberment.” These guys have shared previous bills with Red Fang and local favorite Rabbits. It is guaranteed they’ll rock your drawers so heavy you might wet yourself a little.
Drunk Ladies is a band that’s practically impossible to locate—comprised of one part rock and roll, one part fun times and all parts cool. With a sound that keeps everyone wondering, these guys are definitely headed somewhere. Check out their MySpace Artist page at www.myspace.com/drunkladies1 for some of their recordings and photos of earlier shows.
This will be an all-ages show with a bar for the big kids. Tickets are available for $10 through Brown Paper Tickets. Get ’em while you can; this will be a big-time summer kick-off show for metal heads city-wide. ?