Album review: SCORPION CHILD – Acid Roulette

Nuclear Blast [Release date 10.06.16]

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Second album by Scorpion Child, a five piece hailing from the US consisting of Aryn Jonathan Black (vocals), Christopher Jay Cowart (guitar), Jon “Charn” Rice (drums), Alec “Caballero” Padron (bass) and Aaron John “AJ” Vincent (keyboards). This is a concept piece based on “the story of a doomed love that lands the male protagonist behind bars while his wife lives out an affair with her wealthy lover”.

The story line gets off to a rousing start with ‘She Sings I Kill’. Close your eyes and it could be a 70′s rock giant like (early) Rush or Deep Purple in their prime, mixed with Wolfmother) mainly in the high octave vocals).

This band love a musical workout, particularly a stonking Hammond solo as can be heard on the title track. If Deep Purple did stoner rock they would sound like this. Let the intro to ‘Addictions’ wash over you, some very impressive keys playing and the guitar riffs on this one are bigger than the Shard!

The band pay great attention to detail in the little nuances to keep the story flowing, be it the spoken word, and frankly spooky, ‘Seance’ and keep listening as the waves gently lull the listener out on the album’s final song ‘Addictions’. There is a surprise there…

Bands that pay homage to the 70′s rock sound need not be copyists as Scorpion Child prove on this album. A groove and riff laden ride that will have you pressing repeat play/landing the needle back on the start of the album. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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