This is, we shit you not, the third piece lately where the band in question features a very familiar vocalist with a very distinct set of pipes. And like the previous two we’re kind of in awe at how such an uncanny voice can be differentiated seemingly so easily from project to project. As for this third outfit, we’re talking about Boston’s Alreckque who feature Rob Davol (Set Fire), Aaron Gray whom you might all know as the mastermind behind Grayskull Booking and probably every favorite heavy show you’ve been to around town in the last decade or so, and Jim Healey who is that vocalist in question.
As for Healey, he’s like the Lon Chaney Jr of the Boston Music Scene but whereas the actor known for playing all your most favorite Universal Monsters was known as “The Man of a Thousand Faces”, Healey is quickly becoming the “Man of a Thousand Voices” with solo works galore along with stints in Black Thai, Shatner, Set Fire, and most recently, Blood Lightning. Yet Alreckque might be his most defining work to date.
Maybe the reason that 6PM might be such a defining effort is the fact that Healey gets to share vocals with Gray for this outing to form a beautiful union of harmony on a collection of songs that’s unlike anything the singer/songwriter/guitarist has recorded thus far. Sure, there have been some Grunge elements prevalent in some of Healey’s other work but combined with Gray and Davol it’s like that vision is fully realized with the harmonic power of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell fronting Soundgarden following their signing to A&M.
“Paper Trail” is the biggest of slow burns and is a fascinating entry point into the world of Alreckque if you weren’t at all familiar. Davol’s steady hands create a solid footing for Gray and Healey to stand on with each bringing a different vocal style as the former is almost Cornell-like especially on the trippier Soundgarden efforts (Looking at you, Down On The Upside, “Head Down”, and “4th Of July”!) while the latter always brings it with a soulful croon. And when they clash, get ready for some sonic synergy!
“Lost on Me” is somewhere between the grimy late ’80’s Sunset Blvd sound (Think Ratt mixed with Girls, Girls, Girls era Motley Crue) and Badmotorfinger complete with some sick guitar licks while “Sunsets” is an aural odyssey that definitely has some Kyuss elements within (Airs of Sky Valley and the “Supa Scoopa And Mighty Scoop” in particular ring out). “Achilles’ Last Taco Stand (End of Man)” is epic but a conundrum in that yeah, we know that Alreckque is made of seasoned vets of the Boston Music Scene but they’re still a new band! We’re not saying they shouldn’t sound this good alreay but gotDAMN, give the other rookie bands a chance! Anyway, the 6PM closer is a raucous Rawk out that’s big on riffs and galloping drumming from Davol to finale the debut in the most lovingly LOUD way possible.
6PM arrives on July 17th just in time for Alreckque’s debut live performance opening for Heavy Temple alongside Valley Of The Sun at Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge later that night! Pre-order the EP now by heading here or to the stream below and for the rest of the Alreckque shenanigans including links for that aforementioned show then head to the socials by clicking here or here.