Texas Hippie Coalition - Gunsmoke

 

 

Texas Hippie Coalition - Gunsmoke
MNRK Heavy - 2024
Southern Metal, Alternative Metal, Stoner
Rated: ****

I've always been dumbfounded by the fact that Texas Hippie Coalition (often referred to as THC) hasn't drawn more attention in the heavy underground, especially outside the USA. Their mix of blistering southern metal with touches of alternative metal, southern rock, stoner and down & dirty country (dubbed red dirt metal by the band themselves) has been breaking skulls and revving engines for twenty years without any signs of slowing down.

October 4th saw the release of eighth studio album 'Gunsmoke'. It's a compact beast with ten songs in just over 35 minutes that starts with three hard-hitting anthems full of punch and swagger. Southern metal with a stoner groove and tons of attitude. Imagine a cocktail of Black Label Society and an adrenaline-fueled version of Black Stone Cherry. This approach comes back on several occasions later on, with the absolute highlight being the title track where the heavier parts seem even heavier due to the incorporation of some sweaty, acoustic, back porch-style blues 'n' country guitar. One hell of a song.

But that isn't all they have to offer. Unlike in the beginning of their career, they aren't afraid to take the foot off the gas without losing any of their trademark energy. Check the semi-ballad 'She's Like a Song', the southern rock anthem 'Eat Crow' or the largely acoustic album closer 'I'm Getting High'. It's the perfect closer to a well-balanced album that's convincing and full of bravado with stories about southern living being belted-out by highly underrated vocalist Big Dad Rich. His lyrics aren't genius by any means, but man, when he opens his mouth you believe every word he says. And then some. A highly recommend listen (as is most of their back catalogue).

(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)

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