PHOXJAW

Royal Swan HASSLE

Mutant stoner rumbles from the breeding grounds of Bristol

The music scene in and around Bristol in the UK is currently as exciting as it was back in its Tricky and Massive Attack-led heyday. Only this time, rather than stealthy trip hop, we’ve got a glut of brilliant heavy bands turning heads. Phoxjaw are one such band, and the promise of their alt-stoner hybrid shown on their first couple of EPS comes to glorious fruition here. Songs like Triple AAA

have all the strut and cool of a band that the hipster, indie press would go wild for, before they add in a crunching, off-kilter metallic riff that would send them running a mile. It’s a theme that continues throughout the record to glorious effect; big choruses, jangling odd guitar parts and monumental Soundgarden-style grunge noise rock all wrestle for your attention, and all usually capture it. Phoxjaw are a unique and exciting proposition. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Queens Of The Stone Age, Deftones, Soundgarden

STEPHEN HILL