Press Archive

The Chatanooga Times

Croatan's ultra-heavy mix of rhythmic hardcore and bombastic metal riffs defines one of the sharpest detours from conventional hard rock in recent years. Comprised of singer-guitarist Jenny Grey and drummer Mark Light, the Cincinnati group's sound, while heavy throughout, veers from primal thrash to noisy, industrial blasts of feedback with enough control and imagination to draw the listener in. Their latest record, "Violent Passion Surrogate" is sonically the group's most realized effort to date.

The majority of VPS bristles with raw, unrestrained rock. Grey's scream/growl in the post-punk vein has acquired a stronger presence that lends "Why Do You Think They Call It Dope?" and the LP's title track a new sense of urgency. Bolstered by a wall of thick guitar and Mark Light's frenetic drumming, Croatan is emerging as quite a creative powerhouse, most notably on mid-tempo cuts like "Double Yellow" and the overdriven groove of "Tonight No Nightmare." Lyrically, themes of suspicion and despair may seem unapepealing, but with a liberal dose of humor and no shortage of riffs, Croatan's catharsis can be anyone's.

Reviewed by Chris Zelk

Back