Gonzales - Checkmate

Gonzales “Checkmate” , 2008
(Chorus of One)

Italian band Gonzales play pedal to the metal  punk ‘n’ roll not unlike Scandanavians  Hellacopters and Turbonegro. The drummer has even chosen to use Cobra as a last name.     It’s clear that are a band with nothing but rocking out on their minds “Nothing to Lose” does exactly what an opening track on an album should and gets attention with its thick and fuzzy guitar sound.
         Marky Moon’s has a singing style that, at times, is reminiscent of Mike Ness of Social Distortion and this comes out clearest on the revved up Johnny Cash cover of “Ring of Fire”.

 “Heaven Gone Wrong”  is a track of pounding rock with a simple beat, flowing guitars and whoah whoah choruses.  It is proven once again that the simple things are often the best.  “Fiesta” thumps along with its raise your fist chorus and some great leads break out though the distotion.  The band slow it down a little on “My Son”. This isn’t a bad album by any means but after this review, it’s unlikely to listened to again as other bands have done what Gonzales have done much better.

2.5/5

Gonzales of myspace