Colombian Necktie
All Paths Lead to Nowhere
(Black Voodoo Records)
Stoner fueled metallic hardcore has been a reliable source of quality music for quite some time. What’s interesting is how differently band interpret the same Sabbath-ian riffs and hardcore fury. Groups like Cancer Bats and Every Time I Die lean toward the groovier and chaotic, while groups like Black Tusk and All Hail The Yeti are more deliberate in their aggression. LA-based stoners Colombian Necktie fall somewhere in the middle, as their sophomore release is a near-masterclass in combining metallic hardcore fury with stoner rock air guitar glory. I’m pretty comfortable referring to the band as stoners, as one of the best songs on All Paths Lead to Nowhere is an ode to Mary Jane called “Don’t Fear the Reefer”. Plus, these gentlemen have clearly studied up on the foundations of what makes stoner rock and hardcore so enjoyable.
Sure, sludge exists as a stoner-hardcore fusion subgenre, but Colombian Necktie, and bands of their ilk, operate a little differently. Sure, the riffs throughout the record are (by and very large) excellent; however, Colombian Necktie’s best guitar work is in the glorious 70s-style leads. Some songs lean a little heavier toward the hardcore or stoner side of the spectrum, but unlike their solid debut, All Paths Lead to Nowhere finds the group smoothing over their sound. It creates something much more cohesive and feels like the kind of hardcore album your hippie uncle would love.
There are a couple duds in the second half of the record (“Proletarian Blues” and “33-16”), but the final one-two punch really rounds out Colombian Necktie’s solid sophomore outing. They’ve bridging the gap between stoner rock and metallic hardcore expertly, and aside from a couple misfires, it’s one of the most fun records you’ll hear all year. I’m sure the band would be stellar live, as their personality shines through the recording. Really just about all of the record is filled with Grade-A Sabbath-ian metalcore, and whether its tasty leads and solos or thrash-y riffs, there’s not much more you could ask for from an up-and-coming band.
Purchase All Paths Lead to Nowhere here.
