DUNSMUIR –DUNSMUIR (SELF-TITLED)

What you may have heard by now, is that “Dunsmuir” is not only a city in northern California, but also, it is the name christened to the super group formed in 2013. The “Dunsmuir” crew is composed of mega stars such as Clutch’s frontman, Neil Fallon navigating vocals, legendary Vinny Appice of Dio era Black Sabbath fame manning drums, Brad Davis (Fu Manchu) on bass, and Dave Bone (from Davis & Fallon’s other-side-project, “The Company Band”) anchoring away on the guitar.

What you may not have heard, is the self-titled album released by Hall of Records is solid enough to stand alone, in my opinion, among the best new albums I’ve heard this year. With decades of experience and creativity at the helm, “Dunsmuir” is a concept album centered around “a 19th century ship wreck, who’s voyage was originally intended for scientific discovery, but quickly devolves into a struggle to survive the natural world, and the supernatural”.

This masterfully crafted vessel sets adrift on a journey through ten tracks of captivating tunes. Obviously, Fallon’s vocals bring that Clutch feel to the party, however, instead of the more “bluesy” sound Clutch is most notably known for, “Dunsmuir” manages to channel the more old school heavy metal elements of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Led Zeppelin.

“When you’re hung on the rocks do you stand by your captain, or run ashore with the natives,” questions the chorus of the first track “Hung on the Rocks” while the track “What Manner of Bliss” begs “…and if it’s all a dream, then let us sleep awhile.”

Track by track the album pieces the map together to make a story of the fates of the shipwrecked survivors. Iron maiden meets Gilligan’s Island, but with metal. Complete with savages and sirens, mutiny, genius (…and madness) and “crawling chaos” this album is magnetizing from start to finish and certainly worth purchasing in its entirety.

With a run time of a little over 30 minutes, “Dunsmuir” capsizes, with gushing guitars, thrashing beats and ground swelling lyrics. Then, it proceeds to take you on an adventure following the fates of it’s survivors. There is honestly not one track on this album that disappoints, personal standouts change every time I’ve listened to it.

Everything you would expect from such an amazing line-up and then a little bit more, “Dunsmuir” has definitely delivered a creatively entertaining concept album. Follow the links below to get it for yourself, or set your sails directly to their merchandise page HERE.

Connect with DUNSMUIR (click icons):

By Summer Wait, RockRevolt Magazine Photojournalist