"Tend No Wounds" is the newest E.P. from Savannah, GA's Black Tusk. A follow up to the band's Relapse debut "Taste the Sin," this new E.P. is full of energetic stoner / sludge that, although promising at various moments, doesn't quite meet the high expectations I had. Six songs and only twenty minutes in length, "Tend No Wounds" contains faster, more upbeat passages reminiscent of bands like Orange Goblin and Alabama Thunderpussy, however no particular song or any aspect of the band's sound on this record reaches out and demands the listener's attention like their Relapse debut did. In their attempt to strip their sound down, Black Tusk have released a record that reveals a band going through the motions rather than forging a clear and exciting path for their music. "The Weak and the Wise" is perhaps the best example of the band's sound on this record with its galloping riff that doesn't expand nor travel sonically but instead remains stagnant throughout its five minute duration. Although I appreciate the looseness and spirit of the riffs that (at times) reveal a distinguishable Motorhead influence, I would have liked to have heard more instrumentation or inclusive passages that I feel would have given the songs a distinguishable character and made for a more interesting listen. "Tend No Wounds'" straight forward approach doesn't work as well for Black Tusk as it does some of their peers and the E.P.'s lack of musical diversity and experimentation with a sound that so many are using makes for a rather pedestrian effort. This is especially apparent in the distant, muffled mix of the vocals on the album which fail to exemplify the kind of punk attitude I feel was intended and end up sounding confused since the music doesn't quite match the same emotion throughout. In no way do I feel that Black Tusk is incapable of the kind of musical prowess that creates powerful and distinguishable records, their previous efforts reveal a band with enough talent and promise to give fans such as myself such high expectations.
7 / 10
- Joe