Every fortnight, we check in with all things heavy on RTRFM’s Critical Mass show.
When Jared Warren and Coady Willis of Big Business were absorbed by The Melvins in 2006 to become the band’s new rhythm section, it was on the condition that they keep making albums as Big Business. Lucky for fans as we now have two awesome bands! The guys have taken on board the influences of their mentors and mothership and since 2009 they have released music that has toyed with and demolished listeners expectations of what a ‘sludge metal’ band can do.
Adding extra guitarists (at the moment they are a 3-piece but have been a 4-piece ‘power quartet’ at times), adding layers of vocal harmonies (check the track “Theme Form Big Business II” from Mind The Drift), trying different production techniques and writing interesting and damn heavy music has been their agenda.
Whilst The Melvins are touring their excellent Hold It In album from last year (with Butthole Surfers bassist Jeff Pinkus) Big Business have been extra busy. One of the many bands to find themselves stranded after the unfortunate demise of Hydra Head Records, they have formed their own label Gold Metal Record.
True Gold contains two new tracks, “Blacker Holes” and “Diagnostic Front.” “Blacker Holes” is a fantastic anthem and, perhaps, a warped attempt at a pop song. With pounding drums, bellowing vocal harmonies, awesome bass and guitar riffage (and a very Torche-esque guitar tone), it’s catchy as hell. Fools gold this isn’t. Get stuck in.
Critical Mass airs every Wednesday from 9PM (GMT+8) on RTR FM 92.1 in Perth, Australia.
