Getting any project off the ground is never easy. As hard as it is, adding others to the mix can be even more daunting when trying to get everyone on the same page and going in the same direction. However, combine patience with a steadfast determination and you have a chance of watching something materialize. Such is the case with the hybrid Metal act Powerflo.
If you are a bit vague about who and what Powerflo is, you might be surprised to learn they are led by Cypress Hill’s Senen “Sen Dog” Reyes and Biohazard Guitarist Billy Graziadei. A unique unity, add former Fear Factory Bassist Christian Olde Wolbers, and more recently Drummer Fred Aching (currently a part of BulletBoys), Powerflo is a band that strikes a ton of curiosity. First emerging in 2017 with their self-titled album, the debut featured a raw mixture of Hip Hop and Metal that held its own. Beyond what some want to lump in with Nu Metal, Powerflo truthfully showed off elements far different, and ones far more rooted in Punk Rock and Hardcore. With these thoughts in mind, it is easy for some to put Powerflo in the back of their minds since the debut was seven years ago and little has been heard from them since their 2018 tour with Prong.
So, was this a one-and-done experiment? Apparently not, because in 2024 Powerflo returns more driven than ever with the follow-up album Gorilla Warfare. Set for release on November 1st through Canadian independent label New Damage Records, Powerflo seemingly takes what they did with their debut and pumps it up a few notches. If you happened to catch that album, you learned that Sen Dog had grown quite a bit as a vocalist since his early days with Cypress Hill. You also learned that the combination of himself with Graziadei (who handles co-singing) is extremely tight and complimentary.
Considering this, Gorilla Warfare is heavier, fiercer, and more energized. Pushing the limits of Sen Dog’s vice in some regards, you must hear what he dishes out to believe it. Joined with some absolutely crushing guitar riffs, and an irresistible groove thanks to a tight rhythm section, you are faced with some killer tunes. Now, if you think this is straight-ahead Rap Metal, think again. If anything, Powerflo’s Gorilla Warfare is more a witches brew of Hardcore, traditional Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Hip Hop, and Punk Rock all in one.
Honestly, it is difficult to explain, but if you give Gorilla Warfare a chance, it is hard to deny the energy. However, sometimes the energy is not enough… and you need substance to make it gel. Fortunately for Powerflo, the songwriting holds enough weight where the energy is more an accent than a highlight. With ten songs in total, there is never a dull moment from the rousing lead-off of “I’m a Killer,” the rattling “Isolation” midway in, before the undefinable, yet powerful “Fuck Em All” at the backend.
In the end, Powerflo proves that they are more than just a bunch of recognizable names, but something of substance and that which the creators involved are pouring their hearts into. The best part… they appear to be having a blast in the process. If you are a fan of Hardcore-infused Metal with an old-school flair, you need to check out Powerflo’s Gorilla Warfare, because Cryptic Rock gives it 4 out of 5 stars.
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