Track Listing: I Am The Night, Colour Me Black :: Lay Down :: Run Home :: Two Kids :: Talk To Her :: Time Will Cut You Down :: Everything That You Are :: The Shakes :: Performance :: Living Like A Dog :: No Real Pain :: Blood.
The four piece band Priestess is made up of front man Mikey Heppner (vocals/guitar), Dan Watchorn (guitar/vocals), Mike Dyball (bass) and Vince Nudo (drums/vocals).
Hailing from Montreal, Priestess have been building up to world-wide proportions since racing out of the starting block in 2003. The Album 'Hello Master' was first released in late 2005, and a major recording contract with U.S label giants RCA followed in early 2006. The album has since been re-mastered and is on full release with RCA/Lime Records on April 23rd 2007.
Enough about the detailing though and onto the music. As i said in my single review of this band, i knew pretty much nothing of them. Stupidly judging a book by its cover (or band by its name) i was expecting something cheesy goth-like with Rob Halford wannabe vocals over Type O Negative tracks. Needless to say i was surprised to be met with more of a sludgy gritty rock sound coming from my speakers.
The opening track 'I Am The night, Colour Me Black' is the single release along with 'Run Home' from the album, and it's both fitting for a single and opening track. Racing drums and heavy guitar riffs coupled with Heppners strong vocals make a potent cocktail of great rock and roll to get us started.
The tracks 'Lay Down', 'Run Home' and 'Everything That You Are', along with a general feel to the whole album, seem heavily influenced by late 70's early 80's hair rockers. Not a genre i'm particularly fond of or knowledgeable about, but that doesn't distract me from the great songs that these guys are kicking out.
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'Time Will Cut You Down' lays smack bang in the middle of the album, and provides us with a change of pace to get our breath back. Its a dirty slow rock ballad of epic proportions, and works fantastically within the middle of 'Hello Master'. Full of lazy drums, a fantastic stoner like guitar solo and tight vocals make this song fool you into thinking these guys don't need to try hard to be great. This song alone shows the bands talent and ability to rock without having to force it
Contrasting to the hair metal feel that trails through the album, we have fantastic splatterings of early grunge style guitar work as shown in 'Talk To Her' and 'No Real Pain'. Heppners voice adapts with ease to screeching out high pitched vocals 80's style, and instantly changing to soulful and growly grunge melodies comparable to that of one of my personal favourites Layne Staley from Alice In Chains, and the likes of Audioslave and early Pearl Jam.
'Blood' is the perfect track for Priestess to end on, and is my second choice for best song on the album. It reminds me heavily of Queens Of The Stoneage with the pop like drums providing the stability for chugging guitars and mind-blowing strong vocals - knowing that they can make fantastic songs like 'Blood' and 'Time Will Cut You Down' leaves me wanting much more of that style from the band. Don't get me wrong, the other tracks are great. Tight and well put together, strong yet melodic, fun and mature ... but it's just not my thing. I'm a grunge/stoner girl at heart and i feel that Priestess sound and play better when they lean towards that side of their musical abilities, rather than re-creating a scene that died 20 years ago.
Either way and whatever your tastes are, they are a breath of fresh air to come out of the rock/alternative scene, and 'Hello Master' is a worthwhile CD to add to your collection.
For more information on the band and upcoming tours, visit their official site www.priestessband.com or their Myspace page www.myspace.com/priestessband