CD Review: Zirconium is Patrol at Their Atomic Best

PatrolZirconium(Stiff Slack)

Related Content

• Overkill
  April 25, 2012
• Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Is Not Necessarily Voting For Santorum, But He Does Oppose Gay Marriage, and Won't Play Bass With Metallica
  February 15, 2012
• With Fabulous Friends Like Will Oldham, Shannon Stephens' Pull It Together Simply Shines
  May 1, 2012
• Jason Baldwin: Way West of Memphis
  March 21, 2012
• Old Guys Rule: a Year in Review
  November 25, 2011

More About

• Doug Lorig
• Sufjan Stevens
• Tool (Band)
• Metal and Hardcore
• Indie Rock and Indie Pop

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Heavy, hard, and fast—that used to be how most guitar-centric rock bands once played, and that's exactly the sound Patrol is going after on the local outfit's sophomore album, Zirconium. With a style more reflective of thrash-metal acts like Megadeth or Tool during certain stanzas and the Flaming Lips in others, it's evident that Patrol is aiming for cerebral rock that takes listeners on a journey. There's plenty of drone, reverb, and powerful instrumentation coming from this talented four-piece, with lead singer Doug Lorig's alluring vocals stealing a good chunk of the spotlight. But the guitars are what hit loudest and leave the most lasting impression. Only two songs clock in under the five-minute mark, and three last longer than nine—so mid-'80s Metallica fans should dig it. Zirconium is at its best during "Sahara Angel" and the leadoff tune, "Contortionist." Arguably, Lorig's most compelling performance on the album comes on "Secret Knives," but if you're looking for a good local WTF moment, listen to what could literally be outer-space radio transmissions on "Skullfuckin' Sufjan Stevens"—and remember that like the actual mineral, Zirconium deserves its own atomic classification.