| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Poison Whiptail Diesel Wild Stallion Walkin Boss Bloodsucker Heavy Metal Sky Fast Enough To Kill Mountains Of Madness MOKOMOKAI IS: John Ellis - Vocals & guitars Jeremy Pastic - Bass Bobby Deuce - Guitars Jean-Paul Contois - Drums (tracks 1-5) Adam Hay - Drums (tracks 6 & 7) Release Date: June 16, 2017 Label: Boonsdale Records Website: www.mokomokai.bandcamp.com |  |
In addition to reviewing albums from international and established bands, we always take pride in reviewing music from local artists as well. That being said, Peterborough's Mokomokai just released their debut album titled Poison Whiptail. After listening to Poison Whiptail, what I got from it was a huge 70s metal vibe and it's awesome. Some of the influences I can hear include Black Sabbath, Saxon, Judas Priest and Deep Purple. As far as the production goes, it's got a real raw old school sound.
As we go down the album, the heavy bluesy metal vibe is on strong display on tracks like "Poison Whiptail", "Diesel Wild Stallion" and "Walkin' Boss" with great riffs and grooves. Aside from the riffs, the vocals take centre stage for most of the album. Vocally, John Ellis reminds me of Ronnie James Dio a bit, and he really showcases his vocal prowess on "Bloodsucker". The band pay tribute to the NWOBHM on "Heavy Metal Sky" with that classic speed metal chug. It's the shortest song on here, clocking at just under 3 minutes. I get a big Saxon vibe from this track. Closing out the album is "Mountains Of Madness", where the band manage to sneak in a bit of thrash, combined with some potent and heavy straightforward riffage.
Modern bands bringing that cool old school sound in their music isn't anything new, but it's something that's always cool to see. Pick up Poison Whiptail now and if you live in the Toronto area or anywhere in southern Ontario, catch Mokomokai at the Opera House as part of the Boonsdale Festival on July 14th.
Highs: Solid songwriting, great raw production
Lows: Nothing groundbreaking
Final Rating: 7/10
As we go down the album, the heavy bluesy metal vibe is on strong display on tracks like "Poison Whiptail", "Diesel Wild Stallion" and "Walkin' Boss" with great riffs and grooves. Aside from the riffs, the vocals take centre stage for most of the album. Vocally, John Ellis reminds me of Ronnie James Dio a bit, and he really showcases his vocal prowess on "Bloodsucker". The band pay tribute to the NWOBHM on "Heavy Metal Sky" with that classic speed metal chug. It's the shortest song on here, clocking at just under 3 minutes. I get a big Saxon vibe from this track. Closing out the album is "Mountains Of Madness", where the band manage to sneak in a bit of thrash, combined with some potent and heavy straightforward riffage.
Modern bands bringing that cool old school sound in their music isn't anything new, but it's something that's always cool to see. Pick up Poison Whiptail now and if you live in the Toronto area or anywhere in southern Ontario, catch Mokomokai at the Opera House as part of the Boonsdale Festival on July 14th.
Highs: Solid songwriting, great raw production
Lows: Nothing groundbreaking
Final Rating: 7/10
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