Artist: Last Crack
Label: Roadrunner
Release Date: 1991
Rating: 3 Skulls
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Title: Burning Time Artist: Last Crack Label: Roadrunner Release Date: 1991
Rating: 3 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Solomon:
Last Crack is a band most people have probably not heard of, let alone listened to. This was the band's second record when it came out in '91, and I first came across it after seeing the video for "Energy Mind" on Headbanger's Ball back in the day, yo. This particular song was different from the majority of what was being played on that show, and it introduced me to a band that tends to march to the beat of its own drum.Burning Time features a group that plays its own brand of rock music in a natural, honest way that avoids genre trappings. It's ironic that King's X is thanked in the liner notes, as this is the one band I would say Last Crack sounds the closest to, but I wouldn't consider them rip-offs. They do capitalize on a combination of "new-age" guitar atmospherics and traditional blues-based rock/metal, but any "la-la" gang vocals are eliminated in favor of one prominent vocalist, Buddo, who, to his credit, is one early 90's singer who didn't try to sound like Lane or Eddie. The song titles are a bit of a kick, and they testify to the eclecticism of the music. The first three tracks are strong openers: "Wicked Sandbox" rocks out with an "Enter Sandman" style riff, while the mind-expansive, soundscaping "Mini Tobaggan" paints a peaceful picture of a childhood memory, and the intro to "Mack Bolasses" holds similar otherwordly appeal. "Energy Mind" is my favorite track: the cascading guitar riff at 0:57 makes the tune and is something Ty Tabor would drool over. "Precious Human Stress" and "Kiss A The Cold" provide potent metal potential but are not the best tunes on the record. "Down Beat Dirt Messiah" is not only a bitchin' title, but a hell of a stompin', groovy, funky way to end a record (except the short, sweet piano ditty after it).
Like a lot of left-of-center music, many people will find Burning Time hard to get into at first. Not all of the songs are immediately likeable, and the first three songs and "Dirt Messiah" really carry the bulk of the emotional appeal, for me at least. An original sound, good musicianship, and an open mind characterize an album that is worth a listen or two, if you can find a copy.
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