National Music Reviews
Star & Dagger
Tomorrowland Blues
Cauldron 333
Street: 07.23
Star & Dagger = Kyuss + Queens of the Stone Age + Veruca Salt
Three extremely talented and seasoned musicians came together to create this excellent, bluesy stoner rock album. They also happen to be super sexy ladies, and with experience playing in great bands such as White Zombie and Cycle Sluts From Hell, this group has what it takes. The music is heavy and rich, with classic and modern influences throughout. Song three, the album’s title track, seems to nod to the great Iron Butterfly classic “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” and the album’s finale, “Your Mama was a Grifter,” reminds me of Led Zeppelin’s “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp.” Singer Von Hesseling has a wonderful, rich voice, and gets variety out of it very skillfully, channeling everyone from soulful divas like Tina Turner to rockers like Shirley Manson. Overall, it’s great music from lovely ladies, and I am definitely looking forward to more! –Ischa B.