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Drug Honkey Delivers the Most Challenging Album of 2017!

Drug Honkey is a quartet from Chicago (IL), which has been active for almost 20 years. The band consists of Paul Gillis (vocals, synthesizers, samplers and FX), Gabe Grosso (guitars), Ian Brown (bass) and Adam Smith (drums). They’ve been innovating the underground scene with their unique sound, seriously I never heard anything like them. I think it’s because they’re able to create a sonic bricolage with many different musical genres. Grab any album from their discography and you’ll hear everything from Experimental and Industrial Metal, dark Psychedelic, Death Metal, Doom, Sludge Metal to a little of Post Metal.

They release this new album a month ago thru Indian label Transcending Obscurity Records, with which they released their previous one, the highly regarded “Ghost In The Fire”, and I can tell you without a doubt this is their best work so far, it’s challenging, demands your full attention and it’s even progressive.

How is the sound ?

The album starts with the sonic lethargy of “Pool Of Failure” and “Sickening Wasteoid”. In these two songs vocalist Paul Gillis does an outstanding job creating a gloomy atmosphere thanks to his synthesisers and samplers work, resulting in a very cinematic piece that could easily fit as part of the soundtrack of a dystopian anime.

The journey continues with “Outlet Of Hatred” a dark and heavy piece with tons of riffs and a lot of groove. In this one the band immerses in Doom Metal and Industrial Metal, creating the bastard child of Saint Vitus, Trouble, Scorn and Godflesh. “(It’s Not) The Way” and the lengthy “The Oblivion Of An Opiate Nod” are sonic palettes which describe an obscure trip into the hidden corners of the mind, like the soundtrack of a bad trip full of despair, anguish and paranoia.

The title track “Cloak OF Skies” could the most demented song of the album. In this one the band is joined by saxophonist Bruce Lamont from Avant-Garde metallers Yakuza. This one is like listening to Ornette Coleman and his band playing metal under the influence of some serious heavy drugs! The album finishes with an incredible remix of “Pool of Failure” done by Justin K. Broadrick (Godflesh).

After listening to this album carefully, I can tell you without any doubt, that Drug Honkey has delivered one of the most defiant albums of the last years. I have no doubt that this will be one of my favorites of 2017.

Why is this album worth listening ?

Challenging, Avant-Garde metal for anyone who wants to discover a unique proposal
Their best album up to date

In what situation you should listen to this album ?

This is not ambient music, neither a soundtrack for a party with your friends. This album demands your full attention. So grab a pair of headphones, laid down and enjoy the trip, if you can…

Something particular to note ?

Transcending Obscurity Records is giving this album the full vinyl treatment. This is the best format to buy and fully appreciate the outstanding and sick cover artwork of Paolo Girardi.