There's a particular feature that is solid as a rock: the more you hear a musical genre, you'll like it in some way, or you'll detest it. This Stoner Rock/Metal trend is becoming extremely boring. It seems that every band on the last 10 years is trying to play as a raw and dirty Rock band from the 60s or 70s, and it is an extremely boring! But we must pay attention, because in the middle of this tsunami of releases, we can find something really excellent, as "Cheated Death", the new album from the North American band AGAINST THE GRAIN.

Their musical work reminds a lot a mix between Stoner Rock with influences from Punk Rock, Thrash Metal, Southern Rock and something more. Maybe their creative melodies without any complicated or complex technique is enough to make their songs really catchy, blasting with raw energy, but always sounding pretty good, and their insight is really different! The sound quality of "Cheated Death" tries to be as organic and natural as possible, maintaining that live feeling, with simple tunes (like a plug on an amp, and play with all your will and energy). But the whole aesthetical insight on the production was on turning the band's musical elements listenable. It earns a lot!

These nasty musical junkies from Detroit came to unleash their savage and catchy music on us all. Although their potential wasn't used on "Cheated Death", songs as the fast and savage "Cheated Death" (amazing old Thrash Metal tempos with nasty guitars riffs and melodic solos), the charming modern melodies that arises from "Smoke", the "motorheadian" energy that blister from the short song called "Sacrifice", the excellent harmonies of "Last Chance" (very good work from bass guitar and drums is presented here, along with a fine chorus), the dirty melodies that fills "High Heeled Woman" and "Rolling Stone", and thrashing insight used on the thundering "Enoughs Not Enough" will conquer you at the first hearing.

Listen to these maniacs as they are growing, because AGAINST THE GRAIN will be a great name in the future for sure!