From a well-received band review/introduction, and now reviewing their debut album, I am honored to have Exploding Horse as my “test subjects” for my first Carolinas death metal album review. Thanks dudes. Now, onto way more important things, as in giving the readers my interpretation (as a fan) of a truly raw and destructive album from another great band out of North Carolina. They were once called Zeus but have since decided to go way more metal with the name Exploding Horse. As long as they change NOTHING but the name, that is fine by me. These eleven songs are all explosions of sorts put together on a deathly straightforward and bone-crushing journey into their minds – and our own minds alike.

Like a double-strength Red Bull to your ears, Exploding Horse and their debut album, “The Great Mechanical Pig”, awaken you violently with its powerful ability to make you NOT want to stay seated. The album was made two years ago at Basement Recordings with Jamie King at the helm. Due to financial woes, it was not released until January this year…finally. I believe I described previously about Brennon Campbell having “a mutant throat made of iron.” I stick to that after hearing this album. Sam Fleming and Adam Lane grind out the destructive guitars, Karlon Grant plays bass, and Ricky Culp beats out the powerful drums in each tune.

‘Blonde Moustache’ and its introduction consist solely of the sound of a beer being cracked open before the band breaks in with its aggression. Out of the gate, the listener gets to feel the strength of the band in all aspects. At about 2:02, they kill all the instruments except for the bass for a couple quick pieces of solo work. The intensity is also signified in ‘Turbo Tommy’ with no introduction, just the band hitting everything right off the bat into a chaotic blend of instrumental speed and sound. 0:47 in and the rhythm of the song takes an awesomely dangerous-sounding turn. The guitar riff changes and Campbell’s vocalization goes deep into an impressive gutteral tear, then chaos again ensues less than a minute later. We get a lot of different sounds from each instrument throughout the song that really does showcase what each member thrashes best at, especially at about 3:31 when all voices are focused together. Very killer tracks.

‘Queen of the Parasites’ starts with a very quick intro into how hard the song will smack you in the face. There are some very badass parts where some speedy lead guitar solo work synchronize with Campbell’s voice in a somewhat melodic death dance. It’s awesome. Possibly the hardest and fastest track on the entire album, ‘C.A.C.’ (see below video) is the new name of the track stemming from its last name…Exploding Horse. With the ferocity of the song, either name works tremendously. This brings me to ‘Decomposition’ and its acoustic start. So very different than what you get with the first four songs, this introduction is a cool, fresh design that, at 1:29, brings the listener right back into their signature sound. Awesome unexpectedness. Throughout the track, a double shot of raging vocals are heard with a classic deep growl mixed under a terrorizing, rage-induced scream. 6:30 into the song, a very eerie and almost synth-sounding guitar comes in and tones down the speed some. Then, a beautifully played lead solo, lasting as long as several old school classics, comes in. When that is over, the speed and destruction comes back. As the longest track on this record, it is definitely my favorite.

‘Land of Manatees’ has one of the better guitar riffs, steady drumming, and killer bass playing. Keeping with the steady, rhythmic creation of the song, it takes you into how well everything this band does and how that it is done with such intensity and skill. ‘An Unspoken Remembrance’ is an all acoustic instrumental ease into the band’s chilled side. Featuring Soilwork’s longtime lead guitarist, Peter Wichers (1995-2005, 2008-now), it will give a lot of insight to the difference between what you expect and what is truth about the band. They can do it all. In its whole 2 minute length, it says tons. The title track, ‘The Great Mechanical Pig’, gives us all an immediate push back from the last song, snapping us back with a huge jolt. Another song with some killer chaotic parts, it also keeps a person headbanging throughout. The song fits the record perfectly – an intense and somewhat “mechanical” powerhouse. The final two tracks, ‘Frozen Head’ (featuring rhythm guitarist for Between the Buried and Me, Dustie Waring) and ‘Sam Kinison’s Death March’, both finish out this debut album as powerfully as the album starts, with pure aggression, intensity, and every single skill and sound the band is so good at.

The diversity in which the band delivers the music to the listener is apparent, as almost every song is a death metal lover’s dream – or nightmare – whichever works best. Eleven complete songs coming from a devastating band, who have a unique way of projecting their music to us. I dig the hell out of these guys. From hearing the record, you may think that these guys all might need some professional help in the mental department, but that would be an extremely huge falsehood. Check out the below video, and you will understand what I am talking about. They are about having fun doing what appeals to them and nobody else. Exploding Horse are as good as they sound and deserve to be noticed.

Rating: 9.5/10

5 out of 5 Metal Horns Up \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/

Exploding Horse – “C.A.C.”