Holy Roller came together as a side project, made up of various North Carolina metal and rock bands (Wretched, the Pretty Ugly and Thru World Aggression). From the get-go, the band’s focus was writing stoner rock with touches of hardcore and metal. They formed and wrote their debut EP by the same name Holy Roller, roughly at the same time, in the summer of 2019. The band consists of Adam Cody (guitar/vocals), Jay Ovittore (drums), Jim Mayberry (guitar/backing vocals) and Jason Kincaid (bass/background vocals). The EP was tracked, mixed, and mastered by Jamie King at Basement Studios in Winston-Salem. The EP is a collection of demos Holy Roller wrote in an effort to write music that was more on par with what they listen to. Bands like Red Fang, Elder and COC were some of their major influences – “showing our metal roots while maintaining catchy songs and a layer of fuzzy overtones.” The recording was done all live with Jamie King adding “his amazing EQ mixing & mastering.”
The opener “Axe of Abraham” has got a fantastic “chug-chug-chug” guitar riff to start with. The catchiness of that riff reminds me of a heavier, early ‘70s version of KISS, but the gritty meanness of the band’s sound and delivery has got so much more power behind it that it’s hard to put into words. Think of this song like, newer metal meets stoner, meets classic guitar solo all in four minutes. “RumRunner” has got a faster rhythm with great melodic bass lines by Kincaid and some damn, fine sounding ride cymbal and cowbell playing by Ovittore. Not to mention, another catchy riff by Cody and guitar solo by Mayberry. If this album was done live with mixing and mastering – man, this is insane! So good. “Killer Whaler” has a more stoner metal feel to it with a little psychedelic mixed in. And yet again, another catchy guitar riff with a bit more fuzz effects added. The jam at the end with its stops and starts and drum fills by Ovittore was awesome. And the lyrics offer resignation and a plea “This winter’s got my soul again / Can someone make me whole again?” Next up is “Port Royal” which sounds heavy and sinister with plenty of great “chug-chuggin” guitar riffs. The delivery of the chorus with its chanting has a punk feel to it but the band’s music style is a cross between, I’d say, death metal and goth with just a sprinkling of Sabbath’s darker tones. The title to “Day the Country Died” may give you a clue as to what this song is about. Musically, it’s the bands punkiest, perhaps most energized and angry with plenty of sing-screaming by Cody. What I liked best about this one, was that the band mixed different styles, changed tempo and put in one hell of a guitar solo by Mayberry. Don’t pass this one up. “Scoundrel” features another catchy guitar riff and a spine-chilling delivery of words by Cody, especially on the chorus. Pretty cool psych rock guitar solo on this one, and I liked the way the band ended, too. The last track is “The Shrew” and it’s a pretty straightforward metal rock song, not too heavy, not too light. Mayberry’s guitar riff immediately reminded me of a Jimmy Page riff, albeit heavier and darker sounding, but it you’re a Led Head, I think you’ll know which one I’m talking about. Ovittore was really giving the hi-hats a workout here. What can I say? – Holy Roller’s explosive EP doesn’t hold anything back and I think there is a little bit of something for everyone. This Winston-Salem foursome delivers the goods in a strong, self-titled debut.
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