Review: Nitrogods – Valley Of The Gods

Massacre Records (October 25^th 2024)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

Things I know nothing about.

1. D.I.Y.
2. What women want
3. Microchip technology

And before now – Nitrogods.

I saw their name on a show poster on the same bill as Hardbone, which piqued my curiosity. But, I had no idea about this three piece from Germany.

Their bio leaves you in no doubt as to what to expect. ‘No bullshit rock and roll.’

Right O!

But it’s one thing saying it. Another entirely in delivering it.

‘Left Lane to Memphis‘ lays down the gauntlet with a thud. It’s Motörhead, but rock and  roll Motörhead. Like ‘Going to Brazil’ but faster. It’s a homage to the king of rock and roll. He’d have been proud. Bassist/vocalist Claus ‘Oimel’ Larcher channels the spirit of Lemmy vocally. but don’t think it’s a rip off. Nitrogods have more about them than that.

‘Shinbone Kicker‘ sports a catchy main guitar riff and smells of Motörhead pre 1978. 

Sonically, the production is clear and warm. It’s a ballsy sound. As it should be if you’re doing what the Nitrogods are doing.

The title track introduces some boogie and a touch of Quo to proceedings. This valley is where good times rule supreme. Greasy Dablve and Hunchback Dave are riding high in the hog here! You’d be hard pressed not to tap your foot or bang your head to this.

If fuzzed up blues rock is your bag, ‘Last Beer Blues‘ is for you. Oimel sounds like Billy Gibbons with a hard on and the guitars of Henry Wolter shimmer and shine almost close to Motorpsychodelia, if that’s  actually a thing. It’s a shuffle to keep you smiling. Probably as close to a lament as the band get, the bartender in question gets a right hammering for a lack of booze. 

So you think you’ve got the Nitrogods boxed and put away style wise, right?

Wrong. ‘Broke And Ugly‘ breaks the shackles and comes on like Lemmy and Angus having a punch up in Paul Stanley’s back bar. And the chorus is underpinned by backing vocals that lift it. ‘’I like AC/DC and a nice cold beer’’ – well, who doesn’t?!

One thing that is consistent are the song titles. No mush here. ‘Rotten Sucker‘ continues that trend nicely. Klaus Sperling’s drums power into this. Describing the onset of getting old, ‘’The bones make sounds I’ve never heard’’, even Bad News wouldn’t have dared come up with anything like this!

‘Kings of Nothing‘ just about steps into almost commercial territory – just as well, as this is the lead track lifted, Oimel proving he has a perfectly serviceable singing rather than growling voice. This is gonna be a sure fire hit live. Pure audience participation in the chorus. A very tasteful guitar solo here as well with well paced dynamics all round.

‘Mental Hickup‘ could almost be D-A-D during their best cowpunk phase. 

The band have obviously spent time getting the band’s sound honed down. Both the guitar tone and the bass complete each other all over.

‘Prime Time Terror‘ is immediate. You know you’ve heard the riff before, but what the hell, it’s still good. This time the NG take aim at the faceless B listers in the public eye. Well done lads!

I’ve read the lyrics to ‘8 Arms‘ through multiple times now. Still not quite sure if it’s about the Mafia! The songs is centred on a harmonic guitar riff you might have heard way back in the late 60’s. These guys have a very subtle sense of harmony in their songs that sets them apart from others in their field.

‘Gimme Beer‘has no such problems lyrically! This ups the ante, on a fast chug to a bar near you. And oh, you’re buying. You can smell the denim and leather, bike grease and patchouli oil ago go.

The band don’t believe in skimping on things either. There are are 14 tracks in total. So, why don’t you buy the vinyl, the CD, or the download and review the final three – ‘Like A Worm‘ (tasty slide opening), ‘Ridin’ Out‘ – (should have been on March or Die) and ‘Breaking Balls‘ (hints of Capricorn) for yourselves?!

If you were being mean, then you’d say that like Asomvel, Nitrogods are ripping off Motörhead. 

But I ain’t mean. Admittedly I like my rock and roll, rootsy and these guys have enough about them song wise to be more than just a copy.

Plus there’s a whole lotta love and skill going on here. 

I’ll leave the final word to Oimel –

‘Gonna shake your bones, bang your head,

Cause Rock and Roll is never dead’

Hallelujah brothers!!

Tracklist:

1. Left Lane To Memphis
2. Shinbone Kicker
3. Valley Of The Gods
4. Last Beer Blues
5. Broke And Ugly
6. Rotten Sucker
7. Kings Of Nothing
8. Mental Hickup
9. Prime Time Terror
10. 8 Arms
11. Gimme Beer
12. Like A Worm
13. Ridin’ Out
14. Breaking Balls

Line-up
Claus “Oimel” Larcher – Vocals/Bass
Henny Wolter – Guitars/Vocals
Klaus Sperling – Drums

Official Website

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