Pressure & Time

While these guys are clearly treading in the heavy footsteps of Led Zeppelin, Mountain, Cactus and similar skull-crushing outfits, they bring a raw sense of aggression and hints of black humor to the table that makes their music sound virile and immediate. Guitarist Scott Holiday achieves a colossal sound dripping with fuzz-tone ferocity, providing the perfect foil for Jay Buchanan’s demonic vocal wails. Tracks like “Gypsy Heart” and “White Noise” are overflowing with the sort of glorious rock excess that most bands shy away from these days. The album’s title track is particularly roofshaking in its manic intensity. Beyond their volcanic power, Rival Sons’ songs display considerable melodic substance and bluesy groovesmanship. “All Over the Road” and “Young Love” encase ear-snagging hooks inside metal-tinged arrangements. Buchanan proves himself able to deliver a smoldering ballad with the heart-tugging “Only One.” Throughout, Holiday unleashes solos that range from the primal to the psychedelic. Pressure & Time is rock rendered on a heroic scale without apology.