Priestess - Hello Master
- Released: 2006
- Label: RCA
- Rating:
It seems like every time you go into your local record shop you see some CD with a sticker on it saying “new rock ‘n’ roll saviors” on it. Whether it be Velvet Revolver or Audioslave, The Darkness, Kings Of Leon or Wolfmother. Canadian quartet Priestess can now be mentioned in the same breath along with the aforementioned list of bands.
Last November the band released Hello Master independently, creating enough of a stir that RCA has now picked up the album to unleash to the rock hungry masses. The album kicks off in fine form with the first single, “I Am The Night, Colour Me Black,” a fast and furious song that sets the tone for things to come. Next up is “Lay Down,” which has one of the catchiest opening riffs I’ve heard in recent memory.
This album does have a fair about of hook laden melodies throughout, including the third song, “Run Home,” which features a danceable groove, Thin Lizzy-esque guitar harmonies as well as the obligatory cowbell, an instrument that seems to be all the rage in the current stoner-cum-rock fashion. “Time Will Cut You Down” is the album’s centerpiece, a plodding song with a chorus that would do Lenny Kravitz proud.
Unfortunately, the second half of the album is awash with some interchangeable, derivative songs that begin to sound the same. In fact, the final song on the album, “Blood” is a blatant Queens Of The Stone Age knock off. Overall a decent but not great release from a band that is still young. Despite some of the album’s obvious shortcomings, Priestess does show some promise and a good base from which to start.
Metal Mark | 07/03/2006