Outlaw Order - 'Dragging Down The Enforcer'

It's been eight years since Eyehategod's last full-length studio CD, but 4/5 of the group is in Outlaw Order. Jimmy Bower is the only EHG member not in Outlaw Order. Bassist Gary Mader steps in on guitar, and Justin Grisoli played bass on Dragging Down The Enforcer, though Pat Bruders (Crowbar) was recently announced as the permanent bassist. After releasing an EP back in 2003, this is Outlaw Order's debut full-length.

Outlaw Order (also known as OO%) is very sonically similar to Eyehategod, and Dragging Down The Enforcer is heavy and sludgy. Thick downtuned riffs and thunderous drums propel the songs as they slowly obliterate everything in their path.

Doomy and crusty, the CD has a definite New Orleans vibe, but OO% also infuses a punk sensibility into the music and lyrics. Laid back jamming can turn into a beat down in a heartbeat. Vocalist Mike Williams is the driving force, pouring out anger and passion into every scream.

Dragging Down The Enforcer is a short album clocking at at under 30 minutes, but there is still a fair amount of repetition. It doesn't rank high on the originality scale, but the quality riffs and band's musical pedigree make it an enjoyable CD for doom and sludge fans.

(released November 25, 2008 on Season Of Mist Records)