What do the verbs “drink”, “fight” and “fuck” have in common? XII Boar (Say it with me: “Twelve Boar”). Judging from sound of their new EP, that’s probably all they do. I’m talking rocking, galloping, swaggering metal that tumbles along like a coked out Dukes of Nothing crashing headlong into Beaten Back to Pure. This band of cloven hoofed bastards crushes and slays with their rollicking brand of stoner metal.

Split Tongue, Cloven Hoof is addictive and energizing. It’s got enough hard-charging riffs, chugging sludge, and ballsy southern swagger to empty a barrel of Jim Beam. The riffs are greasy and aggressive, with a heady and bluesy southern rock influence, and the raging vocals hoarse from whiskey and smoke. The breakdown about 3:30 into “Hellspeed Viper” is devastating and opens up a nice lead. “Triclops” chugs along like the cloven hoofs of the song’s eponymous monster. They nail the cranked out dirty southern biker vibe so well, like King Giant on some of Walt White’s finest, I was surprised to learn they were from the UK (GASP!).

This shit is just flat out good times. XII Boar sound like they’re having a blast, singing songs about nailing broads and triclops monsters living on islands of skulls, and their enthusiasm is infectious. It’s good to hear a band having fun, neither locked in hipster irony nor self serious pretension, just a couple of dudes getting together to get loaded and rock.

[Visit the band's website]

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