If you try to describe Crobot you’d go straight to a combination between the big riffs of seventies rock bands like Deep Purple and Black Sabbath and groove metal styling of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave. But if you did that, you’d be overlooking the vital part that makes this band special. That spark that makes a band sound familiar but when pressed, you can’t say who they sound like. They’re cracked into that familiar formula that is hard not to like, and brought a fresh approach to it. 

 

 

This four piece formed in 2011 by Brandon Yeagley on vocals and Chris Bishop on guitars and vocals. After a self-funded EP release the line-up was altered and the band brought in the Figueroa brothers Jake and Paul on bass and drums. After being discovered by Wind-up Records in late 2013 they released a self-titled teaser EP with four tracks from Something Supernatural, which received positive reviews.

 

 

Looking at the song titles, you’d think you were back in the seventies when bands were feared for their dealings with darkness. The Necromancer, LaMano de Lucifer and Night of the Sacrifice all in themselves are enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck, but it’s the infectiousness of the groove riffs in tracks like Chupacabra and Cloud Spiller that the true magic comes into play.

 

 

Legend of the Spacebourne Killer is the first single released from this album, and is a great introduction to the band. It gets straight to the point of what they’re all about. Dark tones, but bright riffs, with room to breathe in some melody. The follow up track, Nowhere to Hide, continues in the same vain and contains a killer solo. Yeagley’s voice is powerful and full of raw emotion.

 

 

The frantic riffing and powerful drumming in The Necromancer is filled out perfectly with the use of a harmonica. How long has it been since you’ve heard one used in a rock song? What this band does so well is the transitions from the frantic, to the laid back groves. It’s certainly the basis of their signature sound. As far as the lyrics go, remember when the likes of Black Sabbath would scare your neighbour? Well, this boarders on the creepy factor without crossing into cheesy territory.

 

 

LaMano de Lucifer kicks off as an ominous blues before laying down the slow groove as Yeagley serenades us about the lord of darkness, doomy feel from the tight rhythm section create a sense of foreboding. The laid back, free form, solo on this one is awesome.

 

 

My highlight on the album is the gentle and impassioned Queen of Light. Yeagley’s voice has that amazing quality that makes the listener really hear the story he’s telling. Through the juxtaposition of heavy chords and gentle notes we’re taken on a journey that is a young girl’s life. This track also has a very emotive solo.

 

 

Clocking in just under 42 minutes, this is an album of finely crafted songs. Under the surface there’s a sense of menace that is seriously lacking in so many of the polished and safe sounding rock bands you’ll hear on mainstream radio.

 

Check out the video for Legend of the Spacebourne Killer