It is almost absurdly easy to say that the Metal community has a new favorite cover band. The upstart, bluegrass-instrument-wielding geniuses of STEVE N' SEAGULLS have sparked off the phenomena of extremely-listenable Hard Rock and Heavy Metal cover songs played through good ole Folk instruments. They have undoubtedly pissed off the gods with their brand of musical heresy and it could not be more fun or epic. Whatever their backgrounds, they mesh perfectly as a band and seem uncanny at their individual skill levels. With a very heavily-influenced polka sound, everything about their first album "Farm Machine" says awesome.

Borrowing from some of the all-time greats such as LED ZEPPELIN, AC/DC, IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, GUNS N ROSES, RAMMSTEIN, PANTERA, and of course DIO, this assortment of eclectic tunes possesses the ability to delight fans from the Metal fields of Scandinavia all the way across the globe to the back country hills of (The Bluegrass State appropriately) Kentucky, no less. Being raised in the American South, I have a soft spot for all Bluegrass, Folk, and Traditional Music. It is unique and timeless and seems to give off the essence of music influenced by culture.

Quick history lesson: Bluegrass is the common name for the local music of American Appalachia, which extends from the North Georgia (my home state) mountains all the way up into West Virginia. It is, in my mind, an acoustic representation of the slower pace of life there. The region is remote and the terrain is very mountainous, with many people living extremely isolated lives. Despite having roots in traditional tunes from the United Kingdom, Bluegrass is recognized a major American musical export.

That being said, it is not solely for the American Country Music fan base to enjoy! With their use of the banjo, accordion, spoons, fiddle, snare drum, and a premium-sounding two, three, and even four-part vocal harmony, STEVE N SEAGULLS are masters of an incredibly specific Metal niche. I can't even begin to guess at all of the time signatures used for the tempos, but one that stuck out to me was the Waltz tempo used in "Nothing Else Matters" as well as the familiar polka rhythm which made appearances in various forms throughout the album. At the 2:22' mark on "Thunderstruck" there is even a polka interjection you might find in a song by the likes of KORPIKLAANI! Lai lai lai lai lai lai... Hey! Hey!

These guys definitely know how to have fun and in a relatively short amount of time, have blown up the internet and gained a large following with their brand of top-notch Bluegrass Metal covers. If you hear "Farm Machine" and never smile, air-banjo, or tap your feet to the rhythm, you might be dead. Highly recommended for the hillbilly Rock N Roll lover in your life!