Contra
Deny Everything
CONTRA was formed as an instrumental 3-piece by former SOFA KING KILLER guitarist, Chris Chiera, and ex- RUE drummer, Aaron Brittain. After briefly playing together in another local outfit, they sought to start their own band and enlisted the aid of SO LONG ALBATROSS bassist, Adam Horwatt. Except rather than just having a bassist, the band decided on a different approach and adopted a two guitarist format, albeit with Adam playing 4-string baritone guitar. CONTRA quickly wrote and recorded the "Son of Beast" demo and began a steady schedule of playing to great acclaim locally. However, CONTRA wanted to add another layer to their potent mix of metal, blues, rock, and sludge by asking vocalist Larry Brent to join their ranks. Larry had previously contributed vocals to local hardcore stalwarts DON AUSTIN, THE UNHOLY THREE, and SPLINTER, in addition to the Laughing Hyenas-influenced HATCHET JOB. After only three shows, Larry began recording vocals to eight of the ten tracks of what will be CONTRA's debut album. " Their brand of doom metal and stoner rock bears the marks of twisted barbed wire and the grease of abandoned factories. If Orange Goblin were to spend a week dining on Ohio sludge and wash it all down with a tall glass of gravel, you'd get something approaching the grittiness and groove of Contra. Just add a side of those delicious, bluesy southern riffs and, by god, you've got the feast of champions." (Doomed and Stoned.com) "This record is nasty and gnarly enough to be lapped up by sludge fans who are sworn to the genre's fuck you coda but with an open, arid approach to blues and classic rock n' roll that's associated with the stoner rock n' rollers that stick by the 70s style. It's a deranged blending of the two that hits right between the eyes, creating a very complete listen devoid of fluff and filler." (Teeth Of The Divine.com)