Anthems For Outlaws

Alabama Thunder Pussy wasn't the only southern-fried headbanging crew who joined the Man's Ruin roster in the late '90s. The Bay Area label also attracted the likes of Hammerlock, whose Anthem for Outlaws offers a raucous, in-your-face blend of heavy metal, southern rock, and punk. This excellent, risk-taking CD could be described as Motorhead meets Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Outlaws meets Black Flag; Hammerlock gets its intensity and amphetamine-like aggression from metal and punk, but the band's need to boogie and its humorously southern lyrics are deeply indebted to southern rock. On infectious, loud-and-proud tunes like "Who Shot Sam" and "Battle of New Orleans," Hammerlock doesn't hesitate to flaunt its hell-raisin', whiskey-drinkin' redneck image. In fact, Hammerlock's Travis Kenney wears that image like a badge of honor. But there is one major difference between Hammerlock's lyrics and the lyrics of southern rockers who emerged in the '70s: Hammerlock does it with a sense of humor and a big dose of irony. Anthems for Outlaws ends up becoming a caricature of redneck culture, but an affectionate one. Like comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Hammerlock is laughing with the good ole' boys instead of laughing at them. This CD is as fun and entertaining as it is obnoxious.