With so many sub-genres of music being crossbred, and rock music generally being bastardized from every conceivable angle, it’s actually refreshing to come across a heavy rock band with traditionalist values. That is exactly what TEN TON TABBY are; with an undeniable love for METALLICA and IRON MAIDEN, coupled with subtle hints of CLUTCH and PANTERA, this London based 4-piece hand you an old-school education in classic rock and metal.
Their new EP, “Stone By Stone”, kicks off with the riff rampant “9-5”, all of their influences evident, with Tom’s vocals sounding somewhat like Neil Fallon’s had he joined a metal band. Everything’s tight and it’s clear they’ve put time into ensuring the sound quality is of a high standard, it’s been produced and recorded very well. Lead guitarist Quinton especially displaying some fine fret work indeed at the tracks peak.
The near eight minute epic that is “Moon Rider” has the bands passion for Iron Maiden plastered all over it, its bass driven galloping intro, a hefty build up with the drums giving it an almost military feel. For the most part it remains at a rock-steady pace, slightly underwhelming when the vocals start up, you expect a bit more from the track given its dramatic beginning. Relatively safe stuff really, perked up once more by Quinton’s solo playing, clearly a confident player with a real feel for classic metal.
“Rise And Fall” has more of an early Metallica vibe about it, the shortest track of the EP, but TTT sound hungrier than ever here, the harmonic sections balanced nicely with the more up-tempo, crunching pace of the song, the EP’s highlight by far, before we end proceedings with another seven minute plus monster, the title track, “Stone By Stone”. Again, we find a song starting off with such promise, an expectation of something grand, an expectation to be beaten into submission with an onslaught of heavy metal, but instead it plods into your ears rather sluggishly. It lacks an excitement that the track would of provided had it of been relentless from the word go, and, granted the track does pick up, but a minute too late. It’s not necessarily a bad track it’s just longer than it needs to be.
Essentially, it can be said that TTT are undeniably a competent metal band, the feel is there, the sound is there and they’re obviously passionate about what they play. This is middle of the road classic metal, it’s reliable and will always be enjoyed by the traditional metal fan, but whilst sounding good, it doesn’t automatically sound fresh and exciting. They haven’t added anything to the genre here, and if you’re not really into the classic style, TTT aren’t going to change your mind. [6]
You can download the EP for FREE via Bandcamp: http://tentontabby.com/album/stone-by-stone
Ten Ton Tabby are also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tentontabby
Their new EP, “Stone By Stone”, kicks off with the riff rampant “9-5”, all of their influences evident, with Tom’s vocals sounding somewhat like Neil Fallon’s had he joined a metal band. Everything’s tight and it’s clear they’ve put time into ensuring the sound quality is of a high standard, it’s been produced and recorded very well. Lead guitarist Quinton especially displaying some fine fret work indeed at the tracks peak.
The near eight minute epic that is “Moon Rider” has the bands passion for Iron Maiden plastered all over it, its bass driven galloping intro, a hefty build up with the drums giving it an almost military feel. For the most part it remains at a rock-steady pace, slightly underwhelming when the vocals start up, you expect a bit more from the track given its dramatic beginning. Relatively safe stuff really, perked up once more by Quinton’s solo playing, clearly a confident player with a real feel for classic metal.
“Rise And Fall” has more of an early Metallica vibe about it, the shortest track of the EP, but TTT sound hungrier than ever here, the harmonic sections balanced nicely with the more up-tempo, crunching pace of the song, the EP’s highlight by far, before we end proceedings with another seven minute plus monster, the title track, “Stone By Stone”. Again, we find a song starting off with such promise, an expectation of something grand, an expectation to be beaten into submission with an onslaught of heavy metal, but instead it plods into your ears rather sluggishly. It lacks an excitement that the track would of provided had it of been relentless from the word go, and, granted the track does pick up, but a minute too late. It’s not necessarily a bad track it’s just longer than it needs to be.
Essentially, it can be said that TTT are undeniably a competent metal band, the feel is there, the sound is there and they’re obviously passionate about what they play. This is middle of the road classic metal, it’s reliable and will always be enjoyed by the traditional metal fan, but whilst sounding good, it doesn’t automatically sound fresh and exciting. They haven’t added anything to the genre here, and if you’re not really into the classic style, TTT aren’t going to change your mind. [6]
You can download the EP for FREE via Bandcamp: http://tentontabby.com/album/stone-by-stone
Ten Ton Tabby are also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tentontabby
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