A little while ago I reviewed MIDNIGHT RIDER's second album, and rewarded it a ten out of ten, because their seventies music captured the atmosphere of those das perfectly whilst writing bloody good songs on top of that. Well, I have another band that is capable of transporting you back to the early seventies, when the heavy bands were rising like mushrooms. This one is called RIGHTEOUS FOOL, and they started life through the thought process of Reed Mullin, drummer of legends and inspirational band CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (COC).

RIGHTEOUS FOOL even has inherited some of the sound traits that COC also happened to harbour in their utmost stoner days. The big difference being that this band knows how to bring the heaviness to the twenty first century without sounding like a stoner band. No, RIGHTEOUS FOOL sounds like they have been eating original BLACK SABBATH, with some BLUE CHEER and early JUDAS PRIEST, topped with a sauce of MC5. And by Jove, it works!

What is the most important piece of this "Righteous Fool" album? well, that's easy, it is the groove, the swing, the subtle but flowing rhythms that are being produced by the drummer Reed Mullin. However choppy that music might be, or how intensive the lyrics might be spat out, he always makes sure that it is toned down to make you tap your feet, swing your hips and slightly bang your head, as he has the rhythm fills down perfectly. Just listen to the very good rendition they do of the FLEETWOOD MAC song "The Green Manalishi". If, like me, you are a JUDAS PRIEST nutter, you immediately compare it to that version, but that is unwise. You should take the original, and you'll find that RIGHTEOUS FOOL  have been very complimentary to it. Well done.

Thankfully the songs on "Righteous Fool" are all above reproach, certainly above par and most of the time just as contagious as the black plague was. It makes for a dark listen that is pleasant at the same time. Plus, you do need a few listening sessions before you really start to appreciate the musical contents of this album. This is a grower, not a shower. RIGHTEOUS FOOL has done anything but made that out of themselves. They have surpassed my expectations (did I have them, I ask myself?) and delivered quite a good album. So, hats off it is.