Back in 1977, my Uncle Manny went to the circus and drank some Miller High Life spiked with LSD. In the midst of his acid frenzy, he retreated to his Trans Am to smoke marijuana and listen to Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd 8 tracks. When Manny emerged, stinking, red-eyed and sweaty, he prophesized of an album that would one day rescue rock n’ roll from the bland and listless corporate rubbish of the future. Manny, your ship is finally in. Walk up the gang plank and grab Bigelf’s Cheat The Gallows; a glorious refinement of every awesome 70’s heavy metal and prog. rock mannerism that was ever emblazoned on a vinyl slab. Just imagine your old Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep and Pink Floyd LPs went feral in a shag carpet jungle, reproduced and then Bigelf eventually emerged decades later from that beer stained and roach burned tangle.

For a first time listener, Cheat The Gallows sounds like a bizarre circus soundtrack and comes out swinging with a heavy nod to Black Sabbath in the opening tracks. Lead vocalist Damon Fox simultaneously assaults the Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer while the rest of the band pounds the rhythm into crunchy, palm muted glory. The big top sized riffs constantly morph into slightly different stoner rock suites on extended workouts like “Blackball” and “Counting Sheep.” Bigelf stretch their legs on the second half of Cheat The Gallows with a more melodic sound and a grandiose production, evoking the heyday of Pink Floyd and The Beatles. After the mellowing out on “Money, It’s Pure Evil” and “No Parachute” Bigelf playfully conclude with the T.Rex tinged “Superstar.”

Fox’s organ and synth virtuosity set Cheat The Gallows apart from lesser 70’s inspired efforts. He’s not some keytar playing pantywaist or Ray Manzarek wannabe. Fox’s two fisted Hammon and Moog exhibition match the fuzzy analogue authenticity of the guitar tone. The vocals sit atop this sonic shag carpet and recall the dark and smoky days before metal became a cheesy parody or prog. rock fell victim to pretension.

Cheat The Gallows will be released on August 12 and is a compulsory purchase for anyone who has worn polyester, velvet and leather in the same outfit.

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