DEAD RABBITS play straight-up, Southern-fried metal that sounds like BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DOWN, and at times, PANTERA. The vocals are sung with clarity, and not in an incomparable scream or growl, and the drums are a strong anchor with thunderous power and nothing too flashy. Many of the songs here tend to start out at a mid-tempo and then halfway through, it kicks into high gear with a solo, or solid groove. “Trust” sounds like Vulgar Display-era Pantera with its opening riff and massive beat. “Once Upon A Cross” closes out with a solo in a jam-like fashion. The band employs a vocal effect in “Away From the Sun” that makes the singer sound like he’s underwater, and although it sounds like a hacky trick, it’s well-executed.
The first 40 seconds of “Neurotic Fanatic” seem fit for a soundtrack to a barroom brawl, which doesn’t seem all that crazy given its title. Most of the songs here hit their target, but there are some weaker moments such as “Day By Day” which starts out with tons of energy, and loses momentum rather quickly. Even so, Dead Rabbits play a no-frills style of hard rock/metal that packs a mean punch.
