Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Damn, this is the most fun I’ve had in months with a record. Denmark’s Black Oak County are a heavy four-piece that slide perfectly into that niche between hard rock and heavy metal. This debut album comes by way of Mighty Music (Tygers of Pan Tang, Sea), a Danish label that seems to be the newest rising force in artist development and execution. Opener “Someone Else” is a rhythmic mosh rock with heavy distortion amongst it’s faster paced groove set. Guitarist-vocalist Niels Beier is a charismatic front man and has a rougher edging around his mostly clean vocal delivery. I like the backing vocal trade-off in the chorus, which makes this a fun opening statement. The album single, “Mad Dog”, is symbolic of what to expect from the band and album. It’s a faster song, using the down-tuned strings to add a little bit of swinging charm to a ferociously heavy cut. Likeable cuts are the accessible “Save Me” and “Laughing with the Crows” while the heavier songs are highlighted by aggressive number “The Boogeyman”. The record’s polish is handled by producer-engineer Jonas Haagensen (Aphyxion) at Jacob Hansen’s Hansen Studios in Denmark. Looks like a winner. Sounds like a winner. Gotta be a winner, right?