Gold Medal Famous get heavy on “Album of National Significance”
Gold Medal Famous have defied expectations and released an epic heavy metal album.
Album of National Significance is the fourth album from Wellington-based band Gold Medal Famous (the third to be released on Powertool Records). Sticking to one genre has never concerned Gold Medal Famous. For this album they’ve tackled metal, producing an album that’s harder than a tarsealed road. Tamsin Grigg and Vorn Colgan play guitar brutally, and Chris Wilson sings songs for an angry country suffering under a right wing government that looks after its rich mates at the expense
of the rest of us.
Gold Medal Famous are no genre purists either, so Album of National Significance is twelve of tracks of different metal styles from hair metal, industrial metal to hard rock. Track eleven is not even
metal but describes the true story of a former workmate of Chris from Gold Medal Famous. Entitled ‘Freak Accident’, it describes how she got a paper cut on her eyeball in freak photocopying accident. She had
to wear an eye patch for a week but is fine now.
No Gold Medal Famous album would be complete without some social commentary. ‘Charismatic Combination’ describes the
activities of self styled “Bishop” Brian Tamaki of the infamous “Enough is enough” march on parliament, slick televangelist style and an opulent lifestyle funded by
his flock.
The angriest track is ‘Air New Zealand’. Chris lets rip with ad-libbed lyrics protesting Air New Zealand’s treatment of
passengers, their monopoly on any flights off the trunk route, annoying advertising strategies and “fanatical support of
the All Blacks”.
They've made a video for Bastard Lizard - watch it here. It's short and spectacular.
Album of National Significance was recorded sporadically over 2012, 2013 and 2014. Gold Medal Famous released the album 100% Pure in 2012 and the EP Free Body Culture in February this year.
Clocking in at less than 40 minutes, Album of National Significance is both concise and significant. Play loud for best results.
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