Is Stoner Rock dead? No, is the answer that you will find from power trio, Mendozza, the Vancouver, B.C. band. White Rhino (Reverse Records), their latest 10 track CD is a brutal punch in the face and very much in the vein of Ozzy era Sabbath or even Down II era or Mastodon. Heavy and brooding are small understatements for this barrage of cranial damage. And if grinding, dirty tunes filled with heavy guitar riffing over top of angry vocals is your cup of tea, then saddle up for a band that you must take a listen to. Now, this reviewer is NOT a big Stoner Rock fan and these guys have managed to get my attention. Let's see if they can turn me around.
Mendozza deliver the sludge factor in spades and while not for everyone, fans of the heavier side of Stoner Rock will rejoice at the power displayed here. White Rhino is very simply a very cool listen and heavy. In other words, crack open a beer or pour some whisky and have at it! You will find yourself unable to stop listening to White Rhino, track after track. Stand out songs like; "Illuminairious", "White Rhino" and my favorite song, the groove laden, "Halo of Crows" will leave listeners headbanging while drinking that aforementioned necessary drink of choice.
Mendozza, who are Deuce on vocals/guitar, drummer Bina and Jeff on bass, have a solid release with White Rhino and also a good case that Stoner Rock is not dead, but alive and getting heavier as we speak. Dark, dank and muddy is what Mendozza is and White Rhino is a perfect display of them wallowing in the murky waters of their heavy bliss. To me these guys conjure up that backwoods swamp shack, out in the middle of the bayou, where 'gators and moonshine are all around. There is something very Southern about this band and this is simply a great record worth seeking out. Check it out, you won't be sorry.
Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Illuminairus
3. Otzi the Wanderer
4. White Rhino
5. The Rise of the Piscean
6. Interlude
7. Pink Slips
8. Halo of Crows
9. The Hounding
10. Outro
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