CLUTCH
Sunrise On Slaughter Beach
Weathermaker Music
www.pro-rock.com
Sunrise On Slaughter Beach is the 13th studio album by Maryland Groove Rock legends CLUTCH. It’s the follow-up to their 2018 release Book of Bad Decisions. CLUTCH likens the recording of this album to their heralded 1999 release Jam Room.
Sunrise On Slaughter Beach finds the group experimenting with use of a vibraphone (a type of xylophone) and a theremin (refer to TESLA’s “Edison’s Medicine”). They even bring in female backing vocalists Deborah Bond and Frenchie Davis, an act which is rather unique for the band.
“Red Alert (Boss Metal Zone)” is a frenzy of rhythm and angst. CLUTCH lets up here and there throughout the track so you can catch your breath. “Slaughter Beach” is a slow headbanger with simple licks and impassioned vocals. Tim Sult’s fuzzy riffs and Jean-Paul Gaster’s driving drum beat supply the life force on “Mountain of Bone”. The funky instrumental breakdown and female backing vocals on “Nosferatu Madre” add texture to Dan Maines’ bass-heavy groove.
The mood is chill for the most part on “Mercy Brown”, but with CLUTCH they can never keep things calm for too long. Neil Fallon’s trademark gritty, yet somewhat refined vocals are on full display on “We Strive for Excellence”. “Skeletons on Mars” has a dark and ominous feel to it. “Jackhammer” is essentially a spoken-word story, with the bass jamming along to shift the mood.
Sunrise On Slaughter Beach is packed full of the signature grooves and soulfulness fans expect from CLUTCH, but wrapped up in just 33 minutes. Sunrise On Slaughter Beach feels like it has been cut short just as it was getting the big reveal, but that just makes the listener thirsty for more. Anyone familiar with CLUTCH knows that there will always be more of the good stuff.
4.8 Out Of 5.0
