Triggerman – ‘Origins, Lost Travellers & Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven’

album by:
Triggerman
Version:
CD

Reviewed by:
Rating:
5
On 19 May 2014
Last modified:19 May 2014

Summary:

"...ginormous bottom-ended riffs so heavy that if you transported them back in time they probably could be blamed for the sinking of the Titanic..."

Very few things in this life are certain, especially in the heady old world of rock ‘n’f’n’ roll, but there is one thing that most definitely that goes without saying – you know exactly what to expect from Triggerman, be it live or in terms of studio releases.

Triggerman - Origins EP artworkIn a corner of this planet we call Mosh all too well-known for its political and religious discord and division, this Northern Irish eight-legged groove machine have one belief and one manifesto only, and that is to deliver the almighty, unifying power of the riff to the masses in the most straightforward way possible.

This enigmatically named EP (the meaning of which becomes clear once you listen to the lyrics) is another surefire vote-winner, and is a more than worthy follow-up to 2012’s absolutely exemplary ‘Hail To The River Gods’ offering (sic!).  OK, yes, I’ll admit it’s nothing new, and it sticks to the band’s tried and tested formula – huge riffs, massive melodies, thumping bottom ends and gruff, no-nonsense vocals – but that’s the beauty of both the release and the band as a whole:  as I said above, you know what to expect and the four guys deliver exactly what you want from them each and every time.

Opener ‘Origin Of Man’ picks up some of the themes from the aforementioned ‘River Gods’ opus by displaying the band’s contempt for accepted forms of belief, dissing both creationism and Darwinism in a single spiteful lyric, delivered in Bap’s trademark ominous, almost preacher-like spoken style.  Religion, in its multi-various and mundane forms, and  is a theme which runs through the EP, with ‘The Lazarushian’ addressing the issue of re-awakening and rebirth, while ‘Valhalla’ is somewhat obvious in its subject matter – although the band, as ever, apply their oblique Norn Irish humour to the lyric, with its references to “inner peace” coupled with “whiskey and beer” (well, the latter do induce the former, at least in this part of the world!).

Musically, as mentioned, it’s everything you expect from Triggerman:  ginormous bottom-ended riffs so heavy that if you transported them back in time they probably could be blamed for the sinking of the Titanic, which swell and swirl above underpinning rhythms more solid than the ancient walls of the band’s native Legenderry.

If you love your metal with plenty of groove and attitude, this short sampler of the force that is Triggerman is an essential purchase.

Tracklist:

Origin Of Man / The Lazarushian / Valhalla

Recommended listening:  ‘Valhalla’.

Triggerman co-headline the Diamond Rock Club in Ahoghill with Screaming Eagles on Saturday May 31:  http://www.wegottickets.com/event/261541#.UzC_hPkmbko

http://www.triggerman.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/triggermanrocks

"...ginormous bottom-ended riffs so heavy that if you transported them back in time they probably could be blamed for the sinking of the Titanic..."

About Mark Ashby

no longer planetmosh staff