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Sep 11, 2015 Datura4 By Frank Valish

Dom Mariani has played the role of Australian power pop god for many years, cranking out masterpieces, first with The Stems and then with The Someloves and DM3. Here Mariani pairs with Greg Hitchcock (You Am I) for a completely different kind of power. Datura4 has its roots in ‘70s blues-based hard rock and right out of the gate it promises to kick down your walls. “You Ain’t No Friend of Mine” rides high on a blistering riff and psychedelic slide guitar. “Journey Home” brings a hint of doom metal. The title track is built on a sped-up blues riff and furious guitar soloing. “Killjoy” chugs at slow pace like Black Sabbath. And “Another Planet” proves the band no one-trick pony, with a hummable slice of ‘60s-style garage rock.

Demon Blues is throwback in the best possible way, the way you can go to some underground club in your nearest big city and see kick-ass rockers throwing it down like it was 1972. But unlike those amateurs, Datura4 is the real deal. In Mariani and Hitchcock, it has the pedigree. Demon Blues is an album that needs to be played loud, late at night, in the dark, and preferably live. (www.dommariani.com) (www.alive-records.com) (www.facebook.com/Datura4)

Author rating: 8/10