Sometimes a band just comes out and swiftly kicks you in the balls with loud, hard, fast rock ‘n’ roll; that band is the Los Angeles-based Stoner Rock outfit DOOMBOYZ. Their new album, Evil Riffs from Los Angeles, is a wild ride of thunderous riffs that pay homage to the likes of Black Sabbath, Kyuss, Danzig, and Queens of the Stone Age.
From the opening notes of “Lysergic Solution,” Evil Riffs from Los Angeles takes you on an LSD-fueled trip through the desert, where the DOOMBOYZ provide the soundtrack. This journey through the dark underbelly of the desert comes to life with ferocious guitar work from guitarists Milo Gonzalez and Luvernious, who are truly the vehicle that powers this journey. DOOMBOYZ vocalist Amit Gilad adds another layer to their dynamic sound and invokes the feeling of early Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell with some of his incredible vocal work on tracks like “The Reaper” and “Forsaken Sons.” He also gives you early Alice in Chains vibes on “Out For Blood.”
Evil Riffs from Los Angeles is an earworm, pulling listeners in and refusing to let go from the minute you hit play. This is an impressive first offering from a band that clearly pays homage to their influences but also brings a fresh and exciting take to the genre. If you are looking for the new generation of Stoner Rock, DOOMBOYZ have clearly made a statement as to why they should be at the forefront of the pack.
By Phil Winslade
