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CO-OP
Co-Op

EMP (2018)
Rating: 8/10

Now, here’s a record that will no doubt turn a few heads due to the fact it features Alice Cooper’s son Dash. Put that aside though, and you’ll be rather pole-axed by this immense groove machine that takes us back to the John Corabi era of Mötley Crüe as massive, meaty dynamics churn and roll, giving off bluesy, dirt-driven fumes ala Corrosion Of Conformity and grungier aspects.

‘N.O.W.’ is the first track to be showcased; a huge sounding groove monster of dark, boiling riffs and gravelled vocal booms, Dash gives Corabi a run for his money with those soulful and slightly gritty displays of fire. The rest of the Phoenix-based band supplies unwavering muscular riffage from Jeremy Tabor and percussive wreckage courtesy of Nick Spann.

The lyrical focus is very much on the state of the United States, and so the angry ingredients are certainly evident. Strangely though, this is not a record of flashing colours and vibrancy. Instead Co-Op operate on a sun-dazed and at times stoned level, bringing with it the likes of the hefty ‘Sleep’ which comes rich with slower, pensive flecks whereby a stark vocal reach is merely accompanied by a trickling rhythm before the posse embarks upon a doom-laden trudge.

In a sense, there’s that soulful yet rather stoned feeling displayed also on ‘Never Whisper The Truth’, which chugs nicely although in rather generic fashion. However, there’s enough swagger and dare I say blues and sleaze to drag this one along nicely as Justin Swartzentruber’s bass grumbles through the maze of stoned grunginess. Elsewhere, the likes of ‘Howl’ (featuring Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry), ‘Condemned’ and ‘Secret Scars’ provide ample moodiness and weighty flavour even in their slower passages.

The combination of a classic 70s rock heaviness and tenacious mid-90s stodginess certainly doesn’t go amiss, either. However, I’ve no doubt that the obvious associations with Alice will no doubt provide the push required for Co-Op to get worldwide attention, and there’s certainly been no harm done in the past by supporting the likes of Mötley Crüe. As tracks such as ‘Old Scratch’ – complete with guest vocals from Alice Cooper – wind themselves sublimely through a myriad of beefy riffs, one just knows that this combo will easily stand on their own two feet though.

As debut records go, this is the sort of opus that will appeal to many. There’s the feeling being that in spite of their rather gravelled approach, they may well be capable of striking up a hit and being the next big thing. Co-Op isn’t the most diverse of albums you’ll hear, but for true grit, chunks of angst and slaps of grunge ‘n’ roll, this barrel-chested release packs a heck of a punch.

Neil Arnold

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