Floodgate

Penalty (Roadrunner)
by Chaz Thorndike

A heavy, plodding band with roaring vocals, dark production, and gut-inspired lyrics: COC/Crowbar/Down, anyone? From the ashes of Exhorder, an ’80s thrash band, came vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Kyle Thomas. He’s a classically trained singer, and the result is something like Down’s swampy rock ‘n’ roll-in-the-dirt with chesty, almost powermetal/grunge vocals. Setting their sights on becoming an arena rock band, Floodgate has lifted the distinct touches of Soundgarden and Alice In Chains, smashed them into bare-bones trudge rock, and succeeded at being almost half as good as Clutch. As a debut record, I consider that an accomplishment, and not too great an insult. Sounding like Sabbath is a sure way to get yourself jammed into an overflowing niche, unless you learn to explore other influences, lift from them, and make a new brew out of old ingredients. “Second Guesser” stands out from the pack as a cool, stompy anthem with varying drum lines, contrasting tempos, and fist-banging power. Feels like driving a junked pick-up truck with shit for shocks really damn fast over access roads between fields or major roads with a bottle of Jack betwen your thighs, smashing the dash with your palm to the pounding beat of a favorite songs, and yelling your throat raw.