Dead Groove - Rubicon

 

Dead Groove - Rubicon
Cleopatra Records – 2025
Hard Rock, Stoner
Rated: ****

Back in 2023 Dead Groove made a huge impact on me with their self-titled debut album - a seventies hard rock extravaganza with a chunky slab of stoner thrown in for good measure. You might know singer/bass player Holly West from the widely acclaimed all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band 'Zepparella'. Drummer Fred Aching plays/played as the touring drummer for various bands, amongst others POWERFLO (with Sen Dog from Cypress Hill) and Bulletboys. Guitarist Cesar Salaverry has made a name for himself in his homeland Peru. Seasoned musicians that reach another level when they bundle their powers. You can hear it on their independently released first record, and you can hear it again on the new ep 'Rubicon', the first release since they've been signed by Cleopatra Records.

Side A of the vinyl release consists of two new songs, written by the band themselves. Both 'Fire' and 'The Damned' are short, heavy, thumping tracks with a driving rhythm section and splendid lead guitar. Compared to their earlier work they are a bit heavier without losing any of their trademark groove and swagger. A must hear for all fans of the heavier side of hard rock and all those who dig head-nodding grooves and the sound of boots stomping under bellbottom trousers. And if that isn't enough, Holly almost casually cements her status as one of the best rock vocalists out there.

Side B is a bit of a strange affair and a little harder to get into, especially when you're a big Motörhead fan. Because this is a cover of their most famous song 'Ace of Spades'. Aggression is the name of the game in the original and (don't get me wrong) Dead Groove does it justice with the energy and love they throw in there, but it takes a couple of spins to get used to it being sung with clean vocals instead of the obvious route most bands choose by shouting, screaming or growling their way through the song. Not a bad cover by any means, but it doesn't seem to be the most natural fit for Dead Groove.

All in all it's very nice to hear another sign of life from this group of superb musicians that found their sound from the get go and show there's much more in the tank with two great, explosive new songs and a decent to good cover.

(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)

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