Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard – Supersonic Rock’n Roll Review

It kind of feels as though the whole sex, drugs and rock’n roll thing has been thrown to the way-side of late. Whatever happened to the Guns N’ Roses, Motörheads and Rob Zombies of the world? They certainly don’t make bands like they used to, not around these parts anyway. We should be thankful then that Australians are some crazy motherfuckers. Indeed, the label of “English rednecks” has never been as applicable, as it is to Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard. Comprised of equal parts weed and gasoline, these Aussies share similarities with the aforementioned bands in more than name alone. Supersonic Rock’n Roll is a hard-hitting redneck rampage through the dusty deserts of the Australian outback. If you’ve never been, Zombie Motors is about to take you on a tour, like it or not.

It’s a little difficult to describe just how hillbilly Supersonic Rock’n Roll truly is. Think Mad Max meets Rocky Horror turned metal. Think the love-child between Kyuss and Red Fang, conceived in the back of a pick-up truck parked in a cornfield somewhere. If there was a genre of music called roadkill metal, this would be it. All becomes apparent with the opening notes of “Grind the Grinder.” The guitar enters like a stringed up tin-can plugged into an amp before Ran Maclurkin’s raspy roar is added to the mix. The man sounds as though he’s been living off moonshine for months, yet his voice actually fits the music perfectly. Within moments you’ll be bobbing your head as “Grind the Grinder” quickly proves it’s more than the sum of its parts. By now it’s apparent that Zombie Motors have the chops to write good, entertaining songs. These rednecks ain’t fuckin’ around.

The key to Zombie Motors success is that they do not take themselves seriously in the slightest. Instead, they’re more interested in writing fun, diverse tunes that would be an absolute blast to hear live. Supersonic Rock’n Roll is a surprisingly varied record. From the Kyuss-infused stoner rock tracks like “Judas” to the southern-style slide guitar found on “Roll n Burn”, every song offers up something new. Not a fan of the blues-y “Bad Boy Benny?” Perhaps rock anthem “Galactic Motherfucker” will tickle your fancy. The garage band guitar tone even manages to make the songs sound dirty without compromising the album’s fidelity. These guys knew exactly what they were doing when they came up with this particular bunch of tracks. The result is immediately enjoyable and hilariously self-aware.

There is a problem with this immediacy, however. Supersonic Rock’n Roll spins itself out rather quickly. The album is chock-full of lively, enjoyable music, but there’s not much here to keep you returning time and time again. Zombie Motors have crafted themselves quite the playlist, but the album’s lack of depth in both meaning and substance does not lend itself to long term listening. After the first few spins it’s time to chop the album up and sort your favorite cuts into your summer BBQ playlist.

Supersonic Rock’n Roll is the musical equivalent of the Tarantino/Rodriguez film Grindhouse. It’s gritty, B-rate and low-brow, but this is exactly what Zombie Motors are going for. While the result is an album that lacks depth and staying power, the fun-factor is undeniable. If you can take your music with a grain of salt, find yourself at home in trailer parks and won’t lose your shit when Zombie Motors makes a move on your girl, then grab a beer, rev up the chopper and don your leather. Supersonic Rock’n Roll is about to take you on one hell of a wild ride.


Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Napalm Records
Websites: zombiemotorswreckingyard.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/zombiemotorswreckingyard
Releases Worldwide: February 24th, 2017

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