IN REVIEW: Turbowolf - "The Free Life"

Perhaps among the lesser known bands (in North America, at least) in the bass-heavy hard rock scene that claims Royal Blood and Death From Above as its top talent, Turbowolf have already proven themselves to be more adventurous than most of their peers through two loud, fuzzed out records.

For The Free Life, their third and supremely noisy record, they've gone out and enlisted assistance from their most high-profile peers; Sebastien Grainger of Death From Above appears on the swaggering single Cheap Magic, while Royal Blood's Mike Kerr shows up on previous single Domino. That these genre heavyweights lend their talents to the record can only help Turbowolf's stature, and it's completely justified. In turn, there are also guest appearances by up and coming artists; Idles' Joe Talbot and Vodun's Chantal Brown lend vocals to Capital X and Very Bad, respectively, adding even more flavour to the already delicious grooves.

The most striking thing about The Free Life (and, if we're being honest, Turbowolf in general) is its energy; once this record gets started, there isn't much slowing it down until its closing track (the aptly titled Concluder). The energy level is high throughout, and the band brings pummeling riffs and delightfully warped melodies early and often. The spacey Halfsecret is afforded a little room to breathe, but the ruling majority of songs are high-energy rockers with substantial low ends.

If you count Royal Blood among modern rock's saviours, you're doing yourself a disservice by ignoring their very loud neighbours; with The Free Life, Turbowolf not only prove they are every bit as worthy of your attention, but also distinguish themselves as one of modern hard rock's most intriguing bands.

March 9, 2018 • SO Recordings
Highlights Capital X • Cheap Magic • Domino

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