Billed as an “extreme crossover act”, Siroll! hail from Catalonia and take 90s alternative metal as their starting point. Drawing from the likes of Sepultura, Soulfly, Pantera, and Lamb of God, the band deliver 8 tracks in just 23 minutes, the pared back approach allowing little room for diversions. With the songs dating back to 2013 and guitarist Venty’s late band, Hysteresis Of Anger, it’s clear that Siroll! have spent time refining the material to fit their own vision, while the lyrics (sung in the band’s native Catalan), were redone from scratch. The result is a short, sharp album that has much to commend it, although it’s not without its flaws.
It opens with the swirling Prou, a stabbing alt-metal assault that slowly shifts through the gears before landing in Soulfly territory, singer Gou delivering the vocals in a percussive bark that fits perfectly with the writhing riffs and Albert Colell’s machine-tooled drums. It also makes heavy use of gang vocals – a trick that’s repeated across the album, with diminishing results. It’s followed by Venianca, which takes Amon Amarth as a starting point, adding in elements of Lamb of God and the melodic leads of Iron Maiden. It’s a striking composition and a good example of the power the band can wield.
Another track that relies on gang-chant vocals, Al Gra is a thunderous beast, underpinned by the chunky, palm-muted riffs of Venty and Jaume Roca. Once again, the leads add melody, while the drums keep things moving briskly forwards -the band shifting between taut groove and more expansive passages. The band wrap up the first half with Accio, which has a strong Brujeria vibe to it, the grinding riffs forming a rock solid groove that will get necks snapping nicely.
The second half, which opens with Nosa, continues in much the same vein, the band tackling each track like an assault course, with only the occasional stab of melodic lead helping to break up the sturm und drang. The only track to boast an English-language title, Sabotage is also one of the best tracks here, offering a series of scything riffs that nod to Dino Cazeres as a source of inspiration. The thrashy No Em Va is a touch faster, although the gang vocals remain, and it leaves Plou Poc, Pero Pel Poc Que Plou to see the album out. The only piece to be entirely written by Siroll! for the record, it is also arguably the best track here, feeling just a touch heavier and darker than the tracks preceding it.
Although a decent enough album, Al Gra! Is not without its faults. While it is well recorded and powerfully delivered, with little in the way of dynamic, it starts to feel somewhat one-note. Fortunately, the band wisely kept things short, the eight tracks dispatched with remarkable economy, and this proves to be the album’s saving grace. Overall, El Gra! Is a solid and compact, if unremarkable album. Siroll! clearly have talent, and you have to admire the way they have resurrected these long dormant songs. However, if they are to establish their own identity, they need to consider changing things up on the next album. 7/10
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