This 7th record from the Psych Heavy Lords of Altamont and its a body of work that is as uncompromising as the first and one that follows their own beat from day one to the current time with a steadfast group of influences ranging from The MC5 and The Stooges through to the Stones catching shades of styles like Sabbath and Motorhead along the way.  It’s been 22 years of uncompromising single-mindedness that has evolved slowly into this possibly their finest hour yet. If Action Rock is a thing then this is the embodiment of Heavy Action Rock.

 

Recorded during a worldwide pandemic with members across the globe, its amazing that it ever saw the light of day as the Lords dedication to ‘the old ways’ and paying homage to their sonic forefathers wasn’t possible and having to Mail it in shows the lengths they go to deliver the goods.

‘TUNE IN, TURN ON, ELECTRIFY’ is the perfect title for what you should do when undertaking a listening session with the Lords.  With their emphasis on raw, aggressive garage punk that also takes in elaborate psychedelic trips. Get the sonic rush of “We’ll Never Leave (This World Alive)”, or get your mind blown with “Mud”, then come down again with “Soul In Flames”. Forty-Five minutes of honest heartfelt hard rockin that’s the guarantee you get from these four horsemen of the Apocolypse.

The band has evolved with lineups but has maintained their roots and ended up improving on each record they’ve made sure they’ve not reinvented the Rock and Roll wheel but they’ve kept it spinning and have gotten better at their craft.

 

Along with The Fuzztones these cats are top of the food chain currently still kicking out the jams and with a commercial edge to songs like ‘Burn Me Out’ with a great hook on the chorus and some quality organ tinkling from Jake Cavaliere.

 

The tunes keep rolling and are built on a great hook or a melody they just keep on giving.  With the title track or rather ‘Million Watts Electrified’  having a huge groove and hook on the chorus this is excellent stuff but it’s the stunning arrangement that holds the key to how damn good this record is. I’m hoping this Global lockdown has made bands like this hungry to hit the road and tour these records and we’ll be lucky enough to get an eyeful of this Rock and Roll trip because some of these songs would be nothing short of sensational through a huge PA and the billowing dry ice.

 

Side two starts off with some seriously hard rockin intent as the song’s flow ‘Blast From Kicksville’ is a stomping good time. Bullshit-free high octane rock and it feels great. But then you have your melon twisted with the kaleidoscopic ‘I Just Want’.  There is a Stooges cover just for the CD buyers out there as the vinyl snobs roll their eyes and tut but you can hear it on streaming sites (CD buyers and Vinyl junkies all roll eyes).

With just a pair of tracks left we get the high octane drag racing number ‘Moving (Goats Revenge)’ burning rubber and the well-worn path of denim and leather and Action rocks ties with fast big shiny engines are honoured here.  Which only leaves the epic six-minute ‘Mud (Wet Brain)’ hazy, bass-heavy, drug theme, wailing guitars, vocals dripping with echo.  It’s all here baby Tune In Turn On Electrify! it’s a theme baby and the Lords Of Altamont live it to the full extent if ya believe then throw your arms in the air like you just don’t care because in anyone’s world this is a belter, Buy it!

 

Oh, and did I mention the die cut sleeve is cool as fuck as well. oh well take it from me it is.

 

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley