There are not enough words in ANY Dictionary to describe how absolutely AWESOME MEGATONS by The Barbarians Of California is.
Did you ever wish that Every Time I Die did a straight up METAL record but also added in the more Space Rawk aspects of Queens Of The Stone Age and the flair, ridiculousness and bravado of Electric Six? Well, do we have a band for you! That band is The Barbarians Of California and their upcoming sophomore effort, MEGATONS, is nothing short of astounding.
There are albums that come our way occasionally that we love SO MUCH that we have to take a break from listening for fear of getting sick of it. While we think that might be a myth/self-preservation tactic, MEGATONS is exactly such an album. You see, we loved lead single “THE GNARLYCORE CLASS” so much that we immediately earmarked a spot in our annual end of the year list for the rest of the record that, at that point, we hadn’t heard much more off of (Obviously our bad). Then we got an advance copy and our hopes were backed up by 11 other tracks of pure, uninhibited heaviness. Then came the worrying because the 2 albums currently in the running for the RNRF top spot in our year ender had another contender! And! We didn’t want to possibly jinx overplaying the record so after an initial listen or two (Or three thousand) for review notes, we shelved it for a bit. Until just recently and y’know what? It’s just as good AND we find it hard to believe that we’d ever get sick of this record. And here’s why:
Firstly, MEGATONS absolutely CRUSHES. But it’s also catchy AF (Do the kids still say that???) and fun making for a dynamic dichotomy right off the bat because there’s not one song on here where one won’t find themselves headbanging with a massive grin across their maw at the same time. Eric Stenman (Guitar), Linden Reed (Drums), Zach Irons (Guitar), Dave Amezcua (Bass) and Vocalist Aaron Bruno have collectively crafted the most exquisite Metal record of the year which kicks off with the pummeling, and previously unreleased, “BACK TO THE VALLEY” which showcases one of the most killer rhythm sections in Heavy music today, a massive wall of riffs and Bruno’s uncanny and unhinged mic skills. From there we get into some already out there BANGERS like “THE GNARLYCORE CLASS” that’s already an anthem and easily one of the catchiest jams of the year with barely two minutes to get its’ hooks in. “VANILLA LATTE” sports some of the greatest scream along lyrics (“You Don’t Believe In The Devil/But The Devil Believes In You!!!!”) while “BOMB TO A KNIFE FIGHT” tones it back ever so slightly to let Bruno’s suave singing draw you in before the Stenman and Irons shredding begins.
Latest single “REALLY REALLY RAD” is gargantuan sounding and filled with hypnotic refrains then goes off on some Electro-Pop with airs of ABBA drifting in for its’ outro as the title track drops by next for a bombastic barely minute of vibes. Upcoming single “EARTHQUAKE” is iconic with screaming guitar lines and Bruno’s voice front and center for another memorable, easily repeatable refrain/chorus and some next level vocal runs as Reed’s drumming paired with Amezcua’s Bass form a riotous, rambunctious rumble. “THIS IS SHREDICAL” (Awesome word, btw) is a booty shakin’ behemoth sporting a beastly wall of sound, interlude “HIDE ALL YOUR RECORDS” slowly pummels and 2025 single “MODERN FASHION” sounds just as devilishly divine within MEGATONS as it did when it was initially released.
“SHARK OUT OF WATER” is one of those that makes you go hmmm… but in a good way! Quiet and, dare we say, introspective, this is like Pantera doing “Planet Caravan” and keeps listeners on the edge constantly wondering when it’s going to surprise you with the Heavy. Which it never does. And that’s okay, too. Especially when you have “I AM THE SUBMARINE” as a finisher to close MEGATONS in the most crushing way with a definitive, signature stomp out of The Barbarians Of California which also serves as the most perfect bookend to starter “BACK TO THE VALLEY”.
MEGATONS is out on August 21st on and you can find the version that best suits your lifestyle by heading here. For more from The Barbarians Of California, including where to catch them in the wild on their recently announced headline run (Sadly, with no MA dates yet), hit up the interwebs and the band socials located by clicking here, here, here or here.