Den of 1000 Iniquities.
Angel of Mars, Cherry Drop, and Edison Hollow came while Sonic Smut released all over Outer Limits. 2024.
(Photo Credit Charles Urban)
The world may be going to hell in a hand basket, but at least the soundtrack is solid. Detroit has been on a musical heater this year, a breeding ground for some of the best and innovative tunes around. This week saw another great record drop, by way of Sonic Smut, a trio of certified cosmic masterminds. To celebrate their debut album they enlisted the help of some of the hottest acts around town and turned Outer Limits Lounge into a palace of perversions for a night of non stop rock and roll.
This was my first time seeing all the bands on the bill. There wasn’t a dull moment throughout the night, each group bringing a different and unique sound and tons of energy.
Angel of Mars kicked off the show with their sludgy grungy style. The threw in a cover of The Stooges ‘Real Cool Time’ and executed it with precision. I really dug the bands sound, it was heavy, and had tons of meaty riffs. Imagine PJ Harvey got ahold of an Ouija board and summoned The Melvins for help on a supernatural project. Heavy riffs, killer vocals, and a rhythm section that slays some serious tight knit grooves. The band had genuine chemistry and delivered a hot set to set the tone for the rest of the night. Definitely check them out, follow them on Instagram, and find some of their tunes on Spotify. I’ve listened to the studio stuff and it sounds just as great as they do on the stage.
Cherry Drop was up next, to keep the show rolling, and holy shit, do you gotta see these guys. They are loud, fast, and licensed maniacs. Giving way to the psychedelic garage punk sounds that originated in Detroit, the fellas wasted no time delivering a ripping set of gold. The singer knows how to work a room, giving the audience a first hand look at what that devil music can do to the soul. Flailing around the stage, wrapping the mic around his neck, paying homage to the antics of the Godfather of Punk himself. Fortunately Sonic Smut was able to save the day after the intensity became too much for their guitar, blowing out a string mid set, it didn’t take long for the boys to get back on track and keep the full house engaged and entertained. They are one of the most exciting live bands I’ve seen in a while. Follow them on Instagram and check out their stuff on Spotify. You are not going to want to sleep on these Motor City Madmen.
Edison Hollow was next and impressed is an understatement. The crowd was warmed up good and proper, and Hollow took the stage, after some time off it sounded like. Could have fooled me as the band was in top form. They present themselves like true stadium rock behemoths. Imagine Fireball era Deep Purple playing a 50 seater. Just unrelenting, driving, hard, rock and roll, in your face and a genuine good time. The dual guitar attack feeds off each other and shines. The rhythm section layed the tracks down for this unrelenting train ride. Some of the hardest beaten drums I’ve heard in some time. I’ve given their stuff on Spotify a few listens and it shreds, but hearing it live is so much better. They are a group you gotta check out live. A well oiled rock and roll machine. Find them on Instagram and Spotify.
The foreplay was over and the crowd was, hot, sweaty and ready for some full on penetration. The stars of the night were finally ready to release all over Outer Limits and glaze the place with their Sonic Smut. There is nothing I love more than weird, original, brown as fuck music, and that’s what you get with Sonic Smut. After listening to the album I was enamored with what they were doing. Now, creating the strange in the studio can be misleading. You can hide behind recordings, and I wondered how they were going to make the live stuff translate. They shut down any trepidations I had, as they brought all the chaotic weirdness alive and better on the stage. Manipulating sounds and the cosmic vibrations with ease. Making it seem like cake walk. They had a killer video reel playing behind them to enhance the viewing experience. Each of the members have extraordinary talent, and it was evident with how well the three of them played together and pulled off performing the songs on the album. They are definitely one of a kind, and have such a unique and entrancing sound. The stage show is such a fun psychedelic trip, high octane strange and It’s a fucking delight.
You gotta get your hands on the new album, and you have to go and see them in the flesh. It’s a beautiful ruckus and your mind will be blown and your ears will cum.
You can find them on Instagram and Spotify and I seriously suggest you waste no time in following them immediately.