A Lien Nation - Virus
A LIEN NATION RELEASES POWERFUL, RAW ‘VIRUS’
Seattle-based blues/grunge/rock outfit A Lien Nation recently unleashed their sophomore album, Virus, via Redact Records/Bungalo Records/Universal Music Group.
A Lien Nation
Written prior to the present pandemic, Virus simultaneously discharges foreshadows of danger along with oracular mystery and trenchant outlaw blues.
Made up of Chris Haley (vocals, guitar), Casey Kunning (bass), and John Cave (drums), A Lien Nation’s genesis occurred in 2013, followed by the release of their debut album, Deep Pockets, rife with a crust of visceral grunge melded with compact blues savors.
Since then, A Lien Nation has shared the stage with heavyweights like Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, as well as Queensryche’s Randy Hansen and Michael Wilton.
Encompassing nine-tracks, Virus begins with the title track. Searing layers of bluesy textures blended with gritty grunge coloration give the tune risky magnetism. Haley’s rasping, evocative voice infuses the lyrics with ominous hues.
“Masters,” a sinuous, supple tune, is chock-full of gloriously slavering slide-guitar tones, as well as spectacular solo licks, dripping like hot wax from a candle.
From a purely subjective viewpoint, highlights include “Sycophant,” which opens on down and dirty oozing blues guitars, rolling, sneering, and snarling with smoldering edges. Soft harmonies give the lyrics low-slung suffusing temperatures, while a blistering, lingering guitar solo injects the harmonics with viscous fringes.
“Broken Valve” grinds, grates, and groans with grimacing Southern blues flavors reminiscent of ZZ Top, only exuding muddier, nastier flavors. Whereas “Fade” rolls out in an entirely different direction, merging jazz, blues, and country elements into a cantering, sensuous melody topped by Haley’s rasping, bantering, almost scatting tones.
“Masters,” a sinuous, supple tune, is chock-full of gloriously slavering slide-guitar tones, as well as spectacular solo licks, dripping like hot wax from a candle. “Stubborn Boy” rolls out on a rumbling, murky bassline accented by lustrous guitars and a delicious harmonica. The dark, grubby colors and pushing momentum of this track are mesmerizing.
The video for “Sycophant” juxtaposes images of the band performing with visuals of a young boy coming to terms with the loneliness of life. Stark and cinematic, it’s a moving depiction of the confluence of events.
Dripping with clotted washes of blues and deluxe, ragged grunge, with Virus, A Lien Nation lets loose one of the better albums of the year.
