ALBUM REVIEW: Twelve Boar - "No Forgiveness"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full-length

Date Released: 08/09/2017

Label: Independent

If you did not know the trio was from Aldershot, Hampshire, you would swear it was a Southern rock outfit in harder, more contemporary end of the Lynyrd Skynrd vein. Think playful storytelling, arena-rock boogie and contagious rhythms. The group knows its lane and stays in it exceedingly well.

"No Forgiveness" CD//DD track listing

1. Steppin' Up

2. Golden Goose

3. The Curtain Call

4. No Forgiveness

5. Elders From The Deep

6. Snake On A Lead

7. All the Heavy Griftin'

8. Panama

9. Hellspeed Truckin'

The Review:

The world today lives quite a bit in the 'woke' era. Everything said and not said is a statement. The news prompts reactions across the spectrum. The demands on entertainers to make moves of grand cultural and political significance, and the feelings that emerge when there are missteps or silence, seem never bigger than today. Although the world has certainly seen more profound conflicts, such as the World Wars, the conflict in Vietnam and the fall of the Soviet Union, social platforms and a constant media churn have simply amplified what happens around us, including debates and other contentions on a host of matters.

Being part of the world, extreme music worldwide is no exception. Many artists are delivering music that is largely inspired by the state of the globe. Still others give you a sound that is aimed squarely at helping you let off some steam and break away from the gnashing around us.

Formerly known as XII Boar, the United Kingdom's Twelve Boar has a straight-ahead formula: hard rock 'n' roll without the frills. Their previous record, "Beyond The Valley of The Triclops," received positive reviews. And "No Forgiveness"'sopener "Steppin' Up"demonstrates Twelve Boar has no intention of letting up on its groove-blended heavy swing. You will not find a bunch of coded messages. Instead the group drops unmistakably strapping guitars and rugged vocals.

"Snake On A Lead" is among the tracks that will snag you. If you did not know the trio was from Aldershot, Hampshire, you would swear it was a Southern rock outfit in harder, more contemporary end of the Lynyrd Skynrd vein. Think playful storytelling, arena-rock boogie and contagious rhythms. The group knows its lane and stays in it exceedingly well.

The cuts taken in full are of the classic variety, similar to squads like Motorhead, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. "All the Heavy Griftin'" and "Hellspeed Truckin'" are songs befitting the kings, and Twelve Boarwill knock you out of your seat with its musical and lyrical proficiency. Additionally, with each of those inspirations, down in the gutter blues informed swaths of their catalogs. Twelve Boar reflects that too, along with a dirty bit of rhythm thrown in. From nu metal-esque rap (in a good way) tossed in on "Golden Goose" to the roadhouse affectivity in "No Forgiveness," the band declines to just make old-school tributes, and seems intent to blaze its own trail.

Billed partly as a party band, Twelve Boarunquestionably qualifies. Hard rock fans especially will find far more to love too.

"No Forgiveness" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook