IX

After a self-titled album and an EP, the "Animosity" lineup of C.O.C. is back with a second new full-length, simply titled "IX." Once again, Mike Dean, Woody Weatherman, and Reed Mullin have treated us to a Southern-fried dose of soulful metal, peppered (no pun intended) with dashes of hardcore edge to counteract the bluesy swing of the more groove-y tunes. The trio seems more comfortable delving into the hardcore territory than on the last few albums, showing plenty of speed and aggression on several tracks. After repeated listenings, the slower songs have more memorable riffs and ideas, but the overall dynamic is more effective with the added speed. Several of the Pepper albums had one token hardcore song as a nod to their past, but I like hearing it as an integrated feature of the band's sound.This album gets an A+ for riffs. Woody cranks out one after another gargantuan grooves, like North Carolina's answer to Tony Iommi. For instant ear-pleasers, check out "Elphyn," "The Nectar," "On Your Way," "Trucker," and "The Hanged Man." If you're looking for a hardcore blast, go for "Kill Denmark Vesey," "Tarquinius Superbus," or the aforementioned "The Nectar," which has a great mix of their different approaches. Reed provides the vocals on "Denmark" and "Tarquinius" for a nice throwback feel. Mike Dean's vocals are typically atypical, with all kinds of oddball personality shining through. For the most part, he has the same unconventional delivery as on the self-titled and select songs from "Deliverance" and "In the Arms of God," although he sounds a little like Karl Agell on the second half of "Elphyn." You'll hear traces of just about every C.O.C. era on "IX," but it's mostly in the vein of their work from "Blind" on.Fans of Pepper have plenty of reason to be hopeful for a reunion, as Keenan has recently stated a desire to get back with C.O.C. and write new music. As a big fan of their albums with Pepper, I'm glad that the signs are pointing towards a reunion sometime soon. But in the meantime, I think the "Animosity" lineup has added some killer songs to the band's catalog, and it's been great to have 2½ new albums as opposed to hearing nothing from them for what's going on ten years since the last release with Pepper. If a reunion comes about, awesome. But if not, I'll continue to support these guys, as Mike, Woody, and Reed have more than enough ability to write five-star albums on their own. They have yet another winner with "IX."

SLABS OF THICK CRUNCH AND BUZZSAW GROOVES ALL OVER THIS STINKIN' ALBUM. I AM NOW REALIZING I VERY WELL MAY HAVE GIVEN PEPPER A LITTLE TOO MUCH CREDIT IN THIS BAND. THESE 3 JUST MADE ONE OF THE MOST KICK BUTT HARD ROCK ALBUMS I HAVE HEARD IN A VERY LONG TIME! THE SOUND IS SO THICK AND HEAVY, VOCALS ARE MUCH IMPROVED IMO FROM LAST OUTING, ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE MIX/PRODUCTION, RIFFS ARE MAMMOTH, BASS SOUNDS FAT, FULL AND HOLDS UP TO ALL THAT GUITAR CRUNCH, DRUMS SOUND MUSCULAR AND AGGRESSIVE. THIS IS ONE THE MOST CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED HARD ROCK BANDS OF ALL TIME AND HERE THEY CONTINUE TO CARVE THEIR WAY, ROCKING THE HARDEST AND CREATING CRUSHING METAL GROOVES UNLIMITED. I BELIEVE C.O.C. IS IN THEIR PRIME RIGHT NOW IN 2014. NO JOKE.

Awesome album

Bestest

Meh. It's just ok. Maybe I've outgrown them.... somehow I remember liking it more in my 20s... my 40s want to chill a bit.

quick delivery - as described - new - thanks!

C.O.C. without Pepper is a little different to listen to. You can hear that sludge metal style as well as the C.O.C. old school punk style on this disc. It takes a few listens to really get it, but overall it's a decent disc.

if your a true coc fan? then this was worth the wait, its great, sounds just like they should. I played it 50 times and it gets better each time