Faster Than Hell

Federation of Horsepower drummer Kriss Ward steps out from behind the kit to front this four-piece hard-rock powerhouse. Faster Than Hell sounds like the instruments have been tuned using a 454 big-block engine, and the record itself sounds like a vintage Blue Oyster Cult album, or something that Sandy Pearlman might’ve done in the late 1970s. Rather than speed along at Motörhead tempo, the band favors throbbing, Kyuss-like rock. “Bet Yo’ Ass” and “Devil on My Shoulder” eat up miles of blacktop as the album clips along at a low, chest-thudding rumble. Not until the album-closing “Demon Rum” does Faster Than Hell finally open up the throttle and race to the finish line. A little more switch-up in the pacing, and this album would’ve been stupendous. As it is, though, it’s merely badass.