Goatjack - International Sweethearts of Heavy

Goatjack, creators of industrial metal, grunge and stoner rock, are an impressive suite from Wautatosa, Wisconsin. Reminiscent of The Melvins and Boris, Goatjack’s “International Sweethearts of Heavy” is an impressive nod to the past, with very little to offer the present.

It’s not without its kick-ass moments, though. The opener, SuperHeavy, is quite creative in its composition and brilliant in its lustrous jam. Many of the songs overall stick to a very formulative framework post the opening track, though, never quite reaching the highs of the opener. The exception is Lowster, an excellent tour-de-force into the filthiest terrains of stoner rock. Much of the remaining album contains delirious, magnificent riffs wedged between their poor, conventional frameworks, such as during Callin.

Though “International Sweethearts of Heavy’s” greatest issue herein lies within the mixing department; many layers of noise lose their impact as they are carelessly layered over one another. Sometimes moments of brilliance pierce through the veil, such as during the last section of Even When, though in songs like X Falls the production sounds flat overall. It’s a shame since the energy is clearly there, but the execution is sloppy.

Goatjack has potential, and will certainly win fans of the genre, though its substandard execution and boring song structures greatly drag the album down. Moreover, there is very little to differentiate this music from any stoner-rock bands in the 90’s. I look forward to Goatjack’s future releases, though only in hopes he evolves from such an overdone blueprint.

Average

Listen to it here:

https://goatjack.bandcamp.com/album/international-sweethearts-of-heavy-2

Goatjack - International Sweethearts of Heavy