Hypnotic homeboy rock
Riaan Wolmarans
Weighing in at much more than just four ounces is Hypnotism (Intervention Arts), the debut album by Gauteng rock act Four Ounce Freedom. The album’s credentials are impeccable, with production by the likes of rock wizard Lanie vander Walt and Ashton Nyte.
Bookended by a bizarre motivational-tape hypnotic reading (“You will wake up feeling refreshed …”), the album’s 10 tracks are firmly rooted in raunchy rock, enhanced by a variety of other influences.
The guitars and percussion screech effortlessly from hardcore rock (Shift) to funk rock (Walk Away, which is like a mix of Wonderboom in hard-rock overdrive and early Springbok Nude Girls).Today tones down the noise for an acoustic-sounding few moments, before Scream has vocalist Dino Giovanoni doing exactly that, loud, with a driving undertone. YouDeserve This is a Rage against the Machine-like intro to the wild Blame. There’s also a smattering of hip-hop MCing to be found.
Apparently Four Ounce Freedom label their mix of sound as funk-core:whatever you’d like to call it, it’s proudly loud and, despite the title, certainly doesn’t cause drowsiness.