Album Review: Tomahawk - Oddfellows

It's been six years – not counting last year's retrospective box set, Eponymous To Anonymous – since we've heard anything from Californian experimental/metal/rock quartet Tomahawk. In many ways (well, at least one) the supergroup's fourth LP, Oddfellows, is a little like their discography's version of Edward Norton's The Incredible Hulk – a “soft reboot” if you will, starting with the recasting of the role of bassist: former Melvin Kevin Rutmanis is out, and in his place stands Trevor Dunn, of Mr. Bungle/Fantômas fame.

So, basically, same old Tomahawk with a brand new bottom end, right? Well… kind of, but is that such a bad thing? It's hard not to get drawn in by guitarist Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard) and his ugly, looping, churn on the opening title track, much as it's difficult not to get those fists up and pumping – shit, maybe even kick the air a bit – as drummer John Stanier (Helmet, Battles) switches from rimshot-driven urgency to cock-rock anthemic while the ubiquitous Mike Patton growls and whispers and wails in lead single Stone Letter.

Oddfellows is an eclectic listen, from the slow build of the church-bells-and-gospel-infused I.O.U. and the '90s throwback metal of White Hats/Black Hats to the rhythmically driven The Quiet Few, the proto-punk of South Paw and the jazz-turned-psychobilly journey that is the outright strange (but great) Rise Up Dirty Waters. It's in tracks such as these that the band shine not only as a whole but as individual players, including newcomer Dunn. But, despite the new blood, the sum is a bit 'Malibu Stacy has a new hat', so the question you have to ask yourself is: do you really care about the hat?