Midnite Snake's crashing power chords make an instant impression on their self-titled debut on The Birdman Group. Unabashedly stoner rock, the trio clashes through eight smoldering instrumentals, opening with the charged-up "Nutra-Turbo Overdrive." Ex-
Modey Lemon drummer
Paul Quattrone and bassist
Jim Lingo are rounded out by guitarist
Alexei Plotnicov's dizzying artistry. "Ambassadors of Throttle (In the Sky We Will Ride)" is a scorching classic rocker, "He Ain't My Brother, He's Heavy" is sludging and chaotic, while "Snakebite at Midnite" charges through with relentless energy and tenacity. Not for the faint of heart, the disc has a pace that remains furious throughout, until the end. "Acid Wash" closes out the album with finesse and reflection. Recorded in December 2002 at WPTS at the University of Pittsburgh, the disc's overwhelmingly live feel leaves listeners craving for more. Taking cues from
Acid Mothers Temple,
Oneida, and
the MC5,
Midnite Snake proves to be more than a flash in the pan.