This is metal the Chicago way, baby! By that I mean Bones’ self-titled debut is raw, in your face, no frills death metal with a whole lot of dirty rockin’ groove.  It is a trio of ex-Usurper members Jon Necromancer (vocals/bass), Carcass Chris (guitar), and Joe Warlord (drums) that delivers this album of herb-enhanced, beer fueled, heavy fucking Chicago metal. You’d better assume the fetal position before even thinking about playing this gnarly son of a bitch at high volume.

Though Bones without a doubt has its own identity, there is no mistaking the Usurper (R.I.P) vibes, owing to Necromancer’s roaring vocals, Warlord’s smoke-billowing drumming, and riffing from Chris that stabs, punctures, and slashes. Much like Chicago’s elite (Cianide, Lair of the Minotaur, Cardiac Arrest, etc), the spirit of a core of bullshit-free metal legends (Venom, Master, Hellhammer, etc) permeates this sucker. A truly “live” sound (ably captured by the band and Sanford Parker in three short days of recording) and a locomotive pace gives the album a hair-raising energy, while tracks like stupendous opener “March of the Dead” channels the dirty rock ‘n roll approach of Motorhead with the filthy death of Master. In fact, you’ll not find anything remotely resembling a dud here. Beyond the monumental riffing and rhythmic might of the beast is a command of tempo shifts into ungodly grooves on tracks like “Bloodlust” and “Bitch” that induce an uncontrollable urge to bang one’s head until the neck is wrecked. A smokin’ cover of Devastation’s “Apocalyptic Warrior” and a fundamentally metal chorus on “666” that is tailor made for crowd participation are also worthy of note. Yet on an album of highlights it is difficult to discuss any single one without discussing all of them.

This is the genuine article, folks. Bones play it like they mean it with absolutely no regard to trends. This one is all heart and soul.  Correction: It’s also about blood, guts, and beer. You need this album; your collection will never be complete without it.

 

 

 

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