Big Business Head for the Shallow

I'm generally skeptical about side-project bands or new bands that boast ex-members of some band you probably didn't care about in the first place. I'm also slightly wary of two-man bands, especially if a drum machine or corpse paint isn't involved. So when I heard about Big Business bringing the two-man rock machine, I instantly thought another bandwagon jumper. Then when I heard that it had former members of Murder City Devils and KARP, my interest was piqued a bit. Finally, when I found out it was on Hydra Head, I decided to give it a listen. I was not in the least disappointed. Big Business, consisting of Coady Willis (Murder City Devils, Dead Low Tide) and Jared Warren (KARP), is nothing but furious rock. With added effects here and there including the occasional guitar riff, Big Business brings a big sound with overly distorted bass and drums. The resulting sound is somewhere between fuzzed-out stoner metal and all-out rock. If you think of other intense two man acts like Death From Above 1979 or Lightning Bolt, you will have some idea of where Big Business is coming from. At least you will know that they can stand up to any four or five piece band in terms of sheer power. Speaking of power, one of the best things about Big Business is the singing. The vocal stylings are somewhere between singing and screaming. Never solely one or the other, just consistently brash and unapologetic. The end result vocally is somewhere between High on Fire and power metal bands. Bottom Line: Though there are only eight songs on the release, each song is long in structure and there is never a lull in the recording. The songs fit together like pieces of some drunken puzzle in black leather. This is for anyone who likes their rock heavy, loud, and booming. Head For The Shallow does what many bands try to do these days, only Big Business does it well. For two men, this is a huge sound.