
Outsound, like ol’ Winston Churchill, are firm believers that victory follows the path of most resistance. On the “Megatherium” album, the band amps up the anger soaked in 90s-Seattle sounds and uses rock music as a form of spiritual cleansing.
Certainly, “Megatherium” is, first and foremost, an album that will appeal to fans of 90s Seattle rock. Grunge, to some, is a style of music that dominated the charts during the 1990s before fading into oblivion. But that’s not an accurate description. The classic bands belonging to this genre still tur the world, and some sell out stadiums. New groups appear. And most importantly, there’s an audience for this kind of music because it touches on a couple of the absolutely essential elements of rock music.

In many ways, grunge is angry classic rock. This may all sound obvious but think for a second what that means. Like classic rock, grunge is built on classic song structures, powerful melodies, and memorable guitar solos. That’s the reason why Nirvana, Soundgarden, or Pearl Jam are still played on the radio.
But, even more importantly, it speaks to the human condition. Little in this life comes easy, and most of the things around you will conspire to grind you into dust. Few art forms have captured that fight against complacency and desperation itself as grunge has.


The good news is that the music of Ireland’s Outsound shares both of these qualities. But you should expect as much. Like Seattle, the birthplace of grunge, Cork’s weather report varies wildly from rainy to stormy. And it produces legendary figures like Roy Keane, men so angry that their best friends wear protective headgear when engaging them in conversation.
Album opener “Murder/Dream” provides an immediate demonstration of the band’s strength. The song is constructed around slinky guitar riffs, soft-loud dynamics, and gritty vocals.
The mist stays put for “Venereal Charm,” the first of many times throughout that distorted power chords take the reins and drive the music onto the edge of a cliff. The vocal melodies here are reminiscent of “Dirt” era Alice in Chains.
While many of their contemporaries are studying different strategies to incorporate trendy electro sounds, Outsound will hear none of it. This is a proud guitar-heavy affair. But while the riffs that drive songs like “Nova,” “Adeline” or “Semi-Dog” may revel in detuned heaviness, they also provide the kind of melodies you could hum while on your way to Mass on Sunday.
That takes care of the speed and energy. But the very best grunge albums are an assembly of varied sounds and emotions. “Freakshow” is a mid-paced ode to feeling on the outside of an uncaring world. It simmers with tension before delivering a powerful blow.

Finally, the album closer “Megatherium” proves that Outsound’s musicians aren’t merely looking to ape their heroes. The goal is to join them. “Megatherium” is a layered, carefully orchestrated sludge-fest over which the vocals glide comfortably between tender and aggressive parts.
No, grunge is not dead. In fact, Alt77 features many such bands, and many more send in their music. Outsound manages to distinguish itself from the pack. “Megatherium” sounds like the work of musicians who have learned how to play off each other, how to capture their expansive sound, and how to write songs that modern rock audiences may embrace as their own.
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