Bokassa: Molotov Rocktail

Back in 2017, I reviewed Bokassa’s debut album, Divide and Conquer, and stated that I liked the song “Stoner Anthem� so much that I would listen to it regularly. Most of my excitement was due to the band’s overall sound. Here was a band, I wrote, that understood what to do with its blend of punk, hardcore, thrash, and stoner metal. I remember being impressed with that album and I eagerly looked forward to more music from Bokassa.

In the time since then, Bokassa received high praise from Lars Ulrich, joined Metallica on tour, and released a solid second release, Crimson Riders (2019. With this release, the band hopes to prove that their initial promise has now transformed into something lasting, perhaps even substantial. Some who listen to Bokassa rank them alongside bands like Red Fang, Queens of the Stone Age, Billy Talent, and The Bronx.

Although I’m still partial to the strengths of “Stoner Anthem,� I cannot deny the chuggy charms of tracks like “So Long, Idiots,� “Pitchforks ‘R’ Us,� and “Code Red.� The band definitely has mastered the riff and they play with enough swing and swagger to be catchy. They also attempt to balance melodic sing-along choruses with stoner power. To hear what I mean, check out “Hereticules,� a punchy, but strange tune that moves between the melodic, the anthemic, and the chuggy. It works fairly well, but I think some listeners will want more of the band’s predictable punch and power. I did. And yet, I can’t get that dang chorus out of my head. The same thing is true for the title track, “Molotov Rocktail� and maybe also for “Burn it All.�

As I suggested above, the band’s chuggy charms are quite appealing. I love a good riff. When Bokassa plays up those moments, they are as solid as the bands people compare them with. But when they stray from that formula, they are sometimes less impressive. Some listeners will say they sacrifice their heaviness for melody. Others will admire just how effortlessly the band seems to shift from riff to melody to breakdown and back. My own listening experience is mixed. This is a strong album, but it is sometimes all over the place. If you don’t mind following them at those moments, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. If you listen carefully, you’ll even hear trumpets from time to time. I suggest checking out the title track, “Hereticles� and “Code Red� to see what you think. If you really want to hear that trumpet, check out “Low (and Behold).� For cowbell, check out "Godless."

Track Listing:
1. Freelude
2. So Long, Idiots
3. Pitchforks ‘R’ Us
4. Hereticules
5. Low (and Behold)
6. Godless
7. Molotov Rocktail
8. Burn it All (P.T.S.D.E.A.D)
9. Careless (In the Age of Altruism)
10. Code Red
11. Immortal Space Pirate 3: Too Old for this Sith

Added: October 27th 2021
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 732
Language: english

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