“The South will rise again.” A phrase I heard kicked around by borderline racists, good ol’ southern boys and those who just didn’t know any better all throughout my childhood in southern Virginia (and while we can argue about whether Virginia is really the South, but it really makes no difference to the person who feels southern. So if you disagree with me, go suck a lemon.) And while those good old boys may have thought they were referring to a sudden resurgence of drawl speaking individuals who believe in the absolute right of the states, what they really were talking about is rock and roll.

The uprising of dirty rock has been happening for several years now, and on the metal side most notable is the success of Georgia’s Mastodon and the slew of bands who have followed the dirt roads they traveled on: Blacktusk, Kylesa and Baroness. These bands, plus how everyone “in the know” is all about loving the Melvins (hey, Nude With Boots was great!) sludgy, swamp metal is everywhere now including southern Missouri. Leading the pack on a trip from St. Louis to Savannah are the beloved black robed ((Thorlock)).

Seeing ((Thorlock)) live is immediately arresting. They are not just 3 dudes in jeans and band t’s, but are Druidic priests in black robes. I can’t get over this, there is just something compelling about the visual element of their show that I feel forced to pay attention. Fortunately, the visual shtick isn’t the only thing about ((Thorlock)) that keeps my attention: their music friggin’ rocks.

Their songs are full of behemoth-sized riffs, great vocals that are powerful without losing their sense of melody and they sounds huge, which is more difficult for a three-piece. On their 2008 self-titled record, a few song titles indicate they also have a sense of humor: “Assneck,” “Triceratops,” and the chorus to “Mississippi Wheelwash” is “Giddy up, amigo/Vamos muchachos.” They even cover “Deuce” by KISS. The band obviously don’t take themselves too seriously.

No matter how silly the content of their songs seem, ((Thorlock)) is serious about rocking your face off. On record and live it is damn near impossible not to nod along. Perhaps ((Thorlock)) have addled my brain with their religion of cannabis-soaked riffs, I can no longer tell. Call me a believer either way because I am ready to follow this band to the swamp lands.

((Thorlock)) have a new 7″ coming out later next month that I cannot wait to hear. You can download their self-titled record here as well as stay up to date on ((Thorlock)) news and other good St. Louis based sludgy and heavy bands at Pissfork.net. Long live the South!

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