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The artists formerly known as Hell’s Gazelles are back, full of piss and vinegar, as Stud Farm Mafia, and by Freddie Mercury’s ‘tache, it is good to have them back.
Dating back to pre-COVID, pre-2020, for that matter, Hell’s Gazelles had a certain something that made them stand out from the pack. Big riffs and catchy hooks by the boatload, yes, but many other similar acts could boast of having those. Hell’s Gazelles secret weapon was vocalist Cole Bryant, the proverbial square peg in the round hole.
When other contemporaries at the time were trying (and often failing) to be the next Myles Kennedy or Chris Cornell, Bryant was channeling the spirit of Freddie Mercury, with a range of vocals to shatter glass, an onstage diva persona, and a cheeky, knowing wink that screamed: “You are all in on it.”
Often performing sans shirt, Bryant is a whirlwind onstage, and with his tendency to go walkabout during a gig, also a whirlwind off stage and all the way through the crowd to the bar. And now, he has the songs to match that attitude.
Debut EP ‘Did You Have a Good Weekend?’ is a rather timely affair. The thread running through the six songs is essentially “You’ve got one life, you’ve got to live it, so… did you have a good weekend?”, and let’s be honest, with the world lurching from one dumpster fire to another, that’s a mantra we all should live by. Even though the album is essentially about having fun and seizing the moment, there is a snarling hint of menace lurking around the corner.
Hell’s Gazelles couldn’t have recorded these songs back in 2019. Tracks like ‘Moneymouth’ are the byproduct of life experience. Rolling with the punches. All played out over a background of hard-hitting grooves that bring a QOTSA/Rage Against The Machine-meets-Shinedown at Papa Roach’s house kind of vibe. ‘So Pretty’ has an infectious opening guitar groove courtesy of Nath Digman, mixed with Bryant’s full range of vocals, it impresses from start to finish. Along with ‘Gun Show’, the track rinses toxic masculinity in the best possible way. ‘Dopamine’ is punchier and sees the backbone of the band, Rikard Ridemark (bass) and Luke Evans (drums), linking up to great effect.
‘S.O.S’ is a sneaky wee bastard of a track. It starts all Nu-Metal-like, with fast vocals spat out by Bryant, but then it pulls the rug out from the listener’s feet by going off on another tangent, with some lighter-than-light vocals here and there. Lots of unexpected twists and turns on a song that pays to be on your toes while enjoying. Falsetto vocals mixed with screams and harsh vocals? That will do nicely. ‘Ten Past Ten’ is a banger. An out-and-out banger. Gang vocals, Thin Lizzy celtic jig-meets-Maiden gallops, pulsing bass, screams. It has it all. This one has to slay live?
Chameleon-like at times, Stud Farm Mafia could just as easily open for an act like QOTSA or Foo Fighters as they could the likes of The Darkness, The Wildhearts, and even Papa Roach. Along with Bristol’s Mother Vulture, these guys from Oxford are flying the flag for young British acts, thinking outside of the box.
‘Did You Have a Good Weekend?’ is available now. More information HERE.
Review – Dave
Portrait photo credit: Beth Phasey – @phaseyphotography
Live image – Rob Wilkins
