Heavy Song of the Week is a Heavy Consequence feature that looks at the best metal and hard rock songs you should listen to every Friday. This week, the featured song is “I Am Dog Now” by Chat Pile.
Oklahoma City's Chat Pile blew up after the release of their first full-length album. God's Country in 2022. It was a testament to years on the road and a homegrown DIY spirit, coupled with a crushing post-hardcore that was too pertinent to ignore. There’s not much escapism in their music, which reflects the consumerist hellscape of modern America and its religious, political, and cultural fallacies.
Much has been made of their surprisingly poignant lyrics, and rightly so, but Chat Pile also dish out the riffs, giving the listener a portal to physically direct the anger and disillusionment brought on by the words. “I Am Dog Now,” the lead single from the band’s recently announced LP Cool worldembodies this duality, as the bombardment of riffs sounds like the sonic manifestation of vocalist Raygun Busch's cathartic pleas. The semi-lo-fi style also makes the band sound somehow even heavier with its punch (Uniform's Ben Greenberg nailed it with this mix).
Honorable mentions:
Dale Crover – “I Give Up”
Melvins drummer Dale Crover is an accomplished songwriter in his own right, as evidenced by his solo albums. The capricious finger of fate (2017) and Rat-tat-tat! (2021). “I Quit” is the next single from her upcoming LP Glossolalia and slides into a strange, haunting riff – “Lazy Keith Richards,” as Crover called the tuning. A wild, obtuse solo from Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil fits in perfectly after the second chorus of this irreverent garage rock tune.
Orange Goblin – “The Negative Rises”
There's something special about stoner metal in the summer: that feeling of dry desert heat, with the sun shining overhead. Orange Goblin have been one of the most prolific artists in the genre over the past two decades and their latest single, “Ascend the Negative,” is ideal for those summer outings with friends, a few beers, and some grilled meat. The U.K. veterans don't stray from their tried-and-true formula, nor should they. We're here for those sun-baked riffs and bass-heavy grooves.
To the others – “Angel of the night”
Unto Others (formerly Idle Hands) have announced their third album, The never-never landwhich will arrive on September 20 via Century Media. The band also shared what will be the third single, “Angel of the Night,” a softer tune from the gothic rock/metal outfit. With the more metallic elements toned down here, Unto Others gives off strong hints of 80s goth heroes like Depeche Mode and Echo and the Bunnymen. They continue to establish themselves as modern precursors to the style.
thanks to our partners at consequence.net
