Album review: TROUBLE – The Distortion Field

FRW RECORDS – Out Now.

Being a top quality singer involves much more than having a good voice, it requires charisma – although what that actually is can be difficult to define sometimes. In Eric Wagner, Chicago based Doom Metal legends Trouble had one of the few frontmen who definitely has it, so his decision, back in 2008, to leave the band that he himself formed back in 1979…well it simply smelled trouble for the remaining members.

After a few ‘false starts’ and related line-up changes, the quartet decided to offer the position to ex-colleague Kyle Thomas with whom they recorded their eighth (if you exclude 2008s “Unplugged”) studio album entitled “The Distortion Field”.

I had access to the album a good two weeks before I finally started listening it and, if I were to be totally honest with you, it was more curiosity than hope that convinced me to give this album a spin. Why? Having been a massive fan of “Psalm 9”, “The Skull” and “Manic Frustration” the process of listening to material that was not worthy of the band’s name and status was, simply put, not at all appealing to me.

However, it only took a couple of listens for me to realise, much to my great surprise, what a great album “The Distortion Field” really is – and my joy knew no bounds!

Over the years, fans like me have discovered two different but equally impressive sides to this band’s character and personality – in “The Distortion Field”, the Chicago noisemakers indulge in both in equal terms. Fans of the first two albums will find many Sabbath-infused influences in songs like the opener “When The Sky Comes Down” and “One Life”, while those of you who believe that “Manic Frustration” was the band’s magnum opus would find solace in the dead catchy “Paranoia Conspiracy”, “Sink Or Swim” and Glass Of Lies”.

The riffs produced by the top duet Franklin/Wartell are simple but blistering in their effect and as far as Kyle Thomas is concerned…well, Eric Wagner he may not be but he has the vocal strength and power needed to provide these thirteen beautiful compositions with the flair and passion that they truly deserve. His dramatic intonations in this newly born classic are second to none, as is his soulful performance in the acoustic guitar-led “Have I Told You”.

Another composition in which not only the recently reinstated singer (who also led Trouble during the period 1997–2000), but also the remaining members of the band, truly excel is “Greying Chill Of Autumn” – a dark and sinister composition, filled with haunting riffs and unearthly melodies, convincing us that, far from being irrelevant, Trouble have managed to once again place themselves as leaders of a genre that they themselves helped create thirty three years ago!

There are many reasons why I am delighted that Trouble have managed to come up with an album of the quality of “The Distortion Field”. Not only has it given a new lease of life to these Doom legends, proving beyond any doubt that there is indeed life after Wagner, but it is also the kind of album which is capable of shaking the whole scene to the core.

Why is that so important? Because it could potentially serve as the ultimate motivation for similar-sounding bands and that can only be to the benefit of the whole scene. I cannot see any Doom/Stoner Metal band producing a better album this year.

John Stefanis

Rating: ****1/2 (4.5/5.0)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)