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LO-PAN “Get Well Soon”
LO-PAN “Get Well Soon”
By Colonel Angus
You gotta love a band that names themselves after a character from the movie “Big Trouble in Little China”. It’s kind of an obscure reference but I dig it none the less. They even name one of their songs “Wade Garrett” which is another reference to Sam Elliott’s character in “Roadhouse” (another film that has a cult following). At this point, they had my attention and lucky for us fans, they are releasing their sixth full length album “Get Well Soon” in a few weeks.
The band has stayed pretty consistent for the past decade with new guitarist Chris Thompson being the “new guy”. The core has always remained with Jeff Martin (vocals – not to be confused with the RACER X vocalist), Skot Thompson (bass), and Jesse Bartz (drums). Now, I have heard people refer to LO-PAN as Stoner Rock or just plain metal and while that is true to a point, they bring other bits and pieces to deliver a unique sound. I can’t think of another band that sounds just like them and that is quite a feat in today’s metal world.
Things start off quite well with “The Good Fight” which is an upbeat rocker that begins with a guitar riff that would not feel out of place on a latter day VAN HALEN record. I dare you to not nod along or tap your foot to this tracks. What a great way to usher in your new disk! The album doesn’t slow down at all as “Northern Eyes” has this cool, quirky riff that goes through the whole song. Martin sounds exceptionally powerful belting out the lyrics. Usually by the third song, many bands throw something in a little different but these guys just continue to pummel us with another rocker that starts off with the dirtiest riff on the record. “Wormwood” (Chronicles perhaps – ha) has a mesmerizing quality due to that riff and unfortunately, it is over before you know it as it is just a bit over three minutes. It’s the shortest track on “Get Well Soon” and one I feel could have benefited from a longer length.
Fans of BLACK SABBATH’s “Sabotage” record will love “Ozymandias”. Riff wise along with the vocals, it reminds me of that SABBATH opus which makes this one of the standout of this album. The track takes the listener on a bit of a ride with some unexpected twists and turns giving it a very slight prog element. While “Rogue Wave” is more of a straight ahead mid-paced rocker, the guitar solo adds this other element that gives the whole track a different feel. Another highlight on this disk is “Harpers Ferry” which has this great NWOBHM vibe. The tune sounds different from the other tracks which gives “Get Well Soon” a nice variety of sounds and textures. While the whole record is filled with great tunes, there are a few that stick out as having that “x-factor” and “Harpers Ferry” is definitely one of them.
Throwing another curve ball. “Stay with the Boat” starts off with this cool bass riff instead of the usual guitar intro. This piece speeds things up a bit but still maintains a nice, droning riff that follow the track through to the end. I know many of you readers will think I’m crazy but “God’s Favorite Victim” reminds me of CREED. I know many people hate CREED (almost as much as NICKLEBACK) but when you hear the riffing, you will begrudgingly have to agree with me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a CREED fan but I will admit they write catchy tunes. Thankfully, LO-PAN just take a small bit of that sound and they “Lo-Pan-ize” it and make it their own. Don’t let the comparison sway you away from the track because it quite good.
Saving the best for last “Six Bells” is a tour de force of almost eight minutes of pure magical metal. It’s menacing and moody and shows off LO-PAN at their best. The hallmark of a great record closer is if it makes you want to start the whole thing over again and “Six Bells” does just that. LO-PAN have a winner in “Get Well Soon” and quite frankly, this one should make them more of a household name. Don’t miss out on these Columbus metalers and certainly don’t miss out checking this disk out.
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