‘Prince Of Shokan’ kicks off (and out) the jams on HANDS OF GORO’s self-titled debut here, replete with ‘70s rawk riff glory and pulsing rhythms. These three ain’t no spring chickens when it comes to bringing this sort of thing to the party, members of neo-classic metallers SLOUGH FEG, doomhounds SPIRIT ADRIFT and blackened NITE comprising the crew here.
“Metal” is the operative word here, from the fast-paced ‘Demonizer’ to ‘Uncanny’ with its NWOBHM gallop (SAXON, Di’Anno-era IRON MAIDEN). The psyche-progrre-delic freakout of ‘21st Century Plague’ manages to slam some proto-punk into the mix as well. Think THE SWEET’s ‘Ballroom Blitz’ slam-dancing against THE DERELICTS cover of FLEETWOOD MAC’s ‘Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight’, and you have the idea.
‘You Have No Face’ begins with washes of guitar abrasion before continuing the punked-out speed vibe, comparable to ZEKE at times, the catharsis at which bands like VENOM and OVERKILL excel, while ‘Waste Of Blood’ returns to a more mid-paced (but no less fiery) ‘70s rock format, albeit transmogrified through the lens of life in 2024, equal parts celebratory and visceral.
Ending with the proto-metal jam ‘Archduke Of Fear’, Hands Of Goro is one of those situations where members of established bands come together to create something that, while beholden to what’s come before, manages to craft its own identity early on. Hop in your car and crank this as you’re speeding down the late-night motorway.
Review By: Lord Randall
HANDS OF GORO
Hands Of Goro
Independent