OGRE – The Last Neanderthal
- Posted on 29-04-2014
Feel the snare crack during "Nine Princes in Amber" and the 1-2-3-4 hits a la Kiss’ "Love Gun" – enjoy the somber effects laden solo segments travelling against the evil Bon Scott meets Neil Fallon-like melodies from bassist Ed Cunningham on the 8:21 follow up "Bad Trip" – two songs in and Portland, Maine’s Ogre floor me in a good way on their fourth full length studio album "The Last Neanderthal". This is a power trio who embody the proper doom /hard rock montage- incorporating a lot of 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s influences to develop an easy going, addictive sound that aims to make any of your daily struggles wither away.
Ogre has the dual ability to construct catchy material that wouldn’t be far removed from rock radio like "Soulless Woman" and then submerge themselves into a total epic doom jam-style number such as the 11 minute closer "The Hermit" – featuring a lot of the psychedelic meets bluesy licks of guitarist Ross Markonish, who takes in as much Iommi and Page as he does Hendrix and Michael Schenker when it comes to his feel and technique throughout. Even the production screams analog – or as close as you can get in the digital age, as minimal studio effects and natural electric tones are what pours out of your speakers, earbuds, or listening device of choice.
Add in a science fiction / fantasy lyrical outlook and it is obvious that Ogre is a special band. "The Last Neanderthal" is an impressive album, and one that I hope helps them ascend to greater heights in the doom and hard rock scenes.