Staring at the Divine

Amazon.com
Fans of old-school, Southern-tinged fuzz rock à la Corrosion of Conformity (with a dash of Trouble) will dig the underground groove-metal of Alabama Thunderpussy. With Pantera heaviness and a beer-drinking and hell-raising vibe, AT occupy the small if revered niche also populated by the likes of Kyuss, the Melvins, Raging Slab, early Fu Manchu, and Down. The Virginia-based quintet has been making records since the late '90s, and with Staring at the Divine, their fourth album (and first for Relapse), they've come through with 10 songs of winning, swampy, intense rumble-rock they've coined "moonshine metal." The twin-guitar harmonies of "Motor Ready" are Thin Lizzy-reminiscent, the song a headbanging and moshing meld of musicality. While Alabama Thunderpussy are loud-and-nasty blues metal, this tattooed, bearded bunch are surprisingly melodic--songs like "Hunting by Echo," the slow, hypnotic grind and sinuous solos of "Twilight Arrival," and the portentous-to-rollicking trippy twin-guitar outing that is "S.S.D.D." are highlights in a disc full of stellar subsonic sounds for the discriminating dirtbag. --Katherine Turman

Product Description
Richmond, Virginia's Alabama Thunderpussy deliver ten ass-kickin' shots of 'moonshine metal' on their Relapse debut. With the one-two punch of low-end, stoner rock rumble and twin-guitar harmonies inspired by Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest, and the do-it-yourself work ethic of their punk rock roots. 2002.

Staring at the Divine,Alabama Thunderpussy,Relapse,Alternative Metal,Alternative Pop/Rock,Indie Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Staring at the Divine

Average customer rating:

Frustratingly Average Release From A Great Band
Staring at the Divine
This will definitely grow on you
Good heavy music for the South
Great Band

Staring at the Divine
Alabama Thunderpussy
Manufacturer: Relapse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Fulton Hill
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ASIN: B0000632M4
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Tracks:

Ol' Unfaithful
Motor-Ready
Shapeshifter
Whore Adore
Hunting By Echo
Beck And Call
Twilight Arrival
Esteem Fiend
S.S.D.D.
Amounts That Count

Amazon.com

Fans of old-school, Southern-tinged fuzz rock à la Corrosion of Conformity (with a dash of Trouble) will dig the underground groove-metal of Alabama Thunderpussy. With Pantera heaviness and a beer-drinking and hell-raising vibe, AT occupy the small if revered niche also populated by the likes of Kyuss, the Melvins, Raging Slab, early Fu Manchu, and Down. The Virginia-based quintet has been making records since the late '90s, and with Staring at the Divine, their fourth album (and first for Relapse), they've come through with 10 songs of winning, swampy, intense rumble-rock they've coined "moonshine metal." The twin-guitar harmonies of "Motor Ready" are Thin Lizzy-reminiscent, the song a headbanging and moshing meld of musicality. While Alabama Thunderpussy are loud-and-nasty blues metal, this tattooed, bearded bunch are surprisingly melodic--songs like "Hunting by Echo," the slow, hypnotic grind and sinuous solos of "Twilight Arrival," and the portentous-to-rollicking trippy twin-guitar outing that is "S.S.D.D." are highlights in a disc full of stellar subsonic sounds for the discriminating dirtbag. --Katherine Turman

Album Description

Richmond, Virginia's Alabama Thunderpussy deliver ten ass-kickin' shots of 'moonshine metal' on their Relapse debut. With the one-two punch of low-end, stoner rock rumble and twin-guitar harmonies inspired by Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest, and the do-it-yourself work ethic of their punk rock roots. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Frustratingly Average Release From A Great Band.......2007-04-28

I was disappointed with this album. Compared to other ATP releases (for those new to the band - they play an excellent, if not slightly derived, breed of `down-south' stoner rock) it seemed a little bland and uninspired. Perhaps this is due to the messy break-up of recording parts with the now defunct Man's Ruin label, or perhaps due to line-up differences. Whatever reasons, "Staring At The Divine" isn't quite the monster I was expecting.

To be quite blunt the album takes too long to get going. This is not to say the opening tracks are bad - they just don't grab me. Firstly, Billy Anderson took charge of production, which is usually a good thing (for those unaware, Anderson is THE stoner/doom producer these days), but I'm surprisingly disappointed to say that his work on this one is sub-par. The sound is just lacking for such a band, with many of the guitar licks not hitting home due to the lack of tone, and the drums are just completely lost. This means that songs such as "Ol Unfaithful" and "Motor-Ready" just become very loud hazes, with a real lack of dynamics.

The album does improve though, thankfully. "Hunting By Echo" is the first song that I really enjoy, and the first time the band use dynamics properly - by complementing a catchy chorus hook with some quieter and subdued licks. Similarly "Twilight Arrival" uses a brooding verse, which slowly grooves and builds into a powerful chorus. The paramount song on the album is "Esteem Fiend", which sports the best vocals and the best riffs (particularly the huge closing riff). This song is why I bought the album, and pains me to think they couldn't repeat this excellence.

The album does improve towards the end, and the last half certainly spawns some memorable moments. But the lack of these moments and the annoyingly standard production means I cannot give this more than an average 3 star rating. Disappointing for one of the best bands in the stoner rock scene.

Staring at the Divine.......2007-02-16

Hell, I just like staring at the album cover.

If you're a fan of bands like Down, Kyuss, Clutch, Sixty Watt Shaman, Corrosion of Conformity, and just good ol' stoner rock in general, then you'll appreciate the music on this album. While ATP doesn't sound like any other band I've heard, they've got close similarities to Sixty Watt Shaman in which the vocals are growly and just plain loud throughout the album. No high pitched wails, just rebel yells and then some. If you care about lyrics, then you'll find that ATP is a thinking man's band as well. Nothing is too positive and nothing is too dark. The guitarwork is in your face heavy and never lets up. If you like fast heavy riffs and a quicker pace to your music, you'll love these guys. This is just simply your backyard boozed up rock & roll band with influences stemming from the good ol' boys of Southern Rock from the 70's and 80's. They've had a couple of different lead singers, but the sound has always remained. That's always good.

This will definitely grow on you.......2006-09-14

Another great 70's rock revival band. Crunch rock with a southern rock slant that really doesn't sound like anybody else out there. Sort of similar to Fu Manchu and Nebula but not quite. They really have their own style that differentiates themselves from the afformentioned bands and each song is unique with its own musicality that adds to the replayablility. If you can't get enough of the 70's rock revival, like me, then this disc should be in your collection.

Good heavy music for the South.......2004-08-09

This is the first ATP cd I got my hands on, and it blew me away. Great music with an awsome voice to match. There arn't any lyrics in the cd booklet, but after a few listens you can understand them. This is a great piece of southern drug and alcohol friendly cd, and would recomend it to anyone who likes havin a good time.

Great Band.......2004-02-19

I have recently got into this band. And I love what I hear. The best stoner rock/metal sound I have heard in a long time. I know they have other albums out, but it appears ATP gets better with each one. Can't wait to see them live. This band sings with soul, heaviness and attitude. If you like metal with a small classic rock southern touch, this is the band for you.