SPV (2012)

Some bands resonate with my ears purely on an easy going, fun-loving aspect. They aren’t out to conquer the world- or even change the environment for that matter. Instead, these acts keep the entertainment factor on high with pirate sized hooks in the vocal department, the musical department- or sometimes both. Such is the case for the horror rock/ punk act The Other on their fifth album “The Devils You Know”. The template that probably began with The Misfits 30 plus years ago still shocks and awes today- as long as you don’t take yourself too seriously when investigating songs like “Fire From Outer Space” or “My Home Is My Casket”.

Vocalist Rod Usher has this eerie, low tonality along with the ability to enunciate and sustain words at all the right times- channeling the best of Glenn Danzig and Keith Caputo (back in his “River Runs Red”/ Life Of Agony heyday) on instant winners “Where Is Your Saviour Now” and “Take You Down”. The rhythm section of bassist Victor Sharp and drummer Dr. Caligari know all the power pop punk tricks in the books- keeping the emphasis on the good time attitude of this material, especially with the big band swing elements commanding “Skeletons In The Closet”. Even guitarist Sarge von Rock gets the chance to flex all sorts of metal, punk and 50’s rock ‘n roll chops on “In The Shadows”- with plenty of background vocals that I’m sure will be returned a hundred fold from the crowd when these songs are performed on stage.

Given the climate for Volbeat’s breakthrough, The Other could make a small mark on the scene based on the melodic emphasis to these 15 songs. When your brain needs one of those happy sounding power punk/ metal records, “The Devils You Know” will cause sweat to pour from your veins- in the right way.

www.the-other.de
www.spv.de

Rating: 4.5 / 6

Composed by Matt Coe