Aussie metallers Hydranaut peddle a nice line in doom-laden melodica; bringing a titanic guitar tone to bear against some truly memorable songwriting, they make what I like to call ‘the right kind of noise’…

Their just-released, nine track, self-titled full-length debut is a ripper from start to finish. Vocalist Nik Davis – you’ll doubtlessly remember him from 8Ft Sativa – brings a demonic presence to the mic, sounding at times like an alluring mix of Gene Simmons and that bloke out of Nashville Pussy, which is just the ticket for jaunty little nuggets like Sweller. On the heavier Dig Myself A Grave he’s got you covered too, with a barking, staccato assault that once again complements the mayhem going down around him to a tee.

Davis adds a bit of guitar to the mix two, and his six string partnership with fellow axenaut Damien Blankley is another highlight of the album. Blankley lays it down thick n’doomy, natch, but he’s also got a lightness of touch come solo time that adds a welcome dynamic to the sound. However, when the two go all out, locked in together as the do on the riffmungous Mountain, that’s what it’s really all about…

Pod People bassist DD fills the gaps the guitars don’t reach with some tasteful and very well executed playing, but also adds the requisite amount of ballast on swinging rockers like Chaser, weaving in and around BeRad‘s dancing backbeat in enjoyable fashion.

The straight-up, punk-informed blast of Give ‘Em A Drink is another highlight, ninety five seconds of joyous noise done just right, but Hydranaut have created one of those rare albums that, despite being packed with great moments, doesn’t boast a single song you’d want to single out as ‘the best’. Everything here has something going for it, and whether you love stentorian old school metal (check out the glorious main riff of Hunt) or gutter-bound, oil-encrusted filth, these blokes have got what you need. Give ’em a call now and let them hook you up with some glorious, unfettered noise!

Hydranaut is out now.