Guitars rage, drum skins are thumped, and the singer’s urgent tones blare out of the speakers. Not exactly what you’d expect from a band that takes its name from part of a Sylvia Plath poem. Evidently, Nine Black Alps like their poetry as much as they like the grunge records they grew up listening to. Listen, grandpa. It’s OK to be influenced by Nirvana. Not only are they one of the most important guitar bands in history, but over fifteen years have passed since the release of Bleach, so it makes sense that bands would be influenced by the Seattle giants. It’s no different than your favorite ’80s hair metal bands being influenced by Boston and Molly Hatchet. Well, one major difference: Nine Black Alps are actually a quality band. Really high quality, in fact. Everything Is was this scribe’s third favorite album of last year, and with good reason. Scathing riffs, echoes of Dave Grohl in the pounded drum rhythms of James Galley, and frontman Sam Forrest’s impassioned vocals all add fuel to the fire of goodness that is Nine Black Alps. Kicking off with the left-right-left combination of “Get Your Guns”, “Cosmopolitan”, and “Not Everyone”, Everything Is will have even the most jaded rock fan punch-drunk with musical wonderment. The record is twelve songs deep and it’s quite amazing to think that debut UK single “Shot Down” may be on the weaker end of the bunch. Sure, when playing live the band does that vaguely irritating instrument switcheroo for the final two songs, but that’s the magic of recorded music: the listener doesn’t know the shenanigans occurring in the recording studio or live arena. However, jump at the opportunity to see Everything Is aired in the live environment to truly understand what Nine Black Alps are all about. Sylvia would be proud.

Nine Black Alps
Interscope Records

1. The Cribs Cross The Big Pond For US Tour
2. Nine Black Alps EP
3. Video – Nine Black Alps In The Studio
4. Silversun Pickups Do Calisthenics, Warm Up For West Coast Tour
5. Fuse Launches New Classic Metal Show… Iron Maiden Rules! m/