Buckethead Pike Reviews
A review of Pike 82 'Calamity Cabin' by Buckethead, released September 27thth 2014
Good evening everybody, today we're back for another ride along guitar hero Buckethead's Pike album series, with Pike 82 'Calamity Cabin'. So, let's begin. Woo!!
Released September 27th 2014, Pike 82 was one of 8 Pike albums released that month, dropping the same day as Pike 81 'Carnival of Cartilage'. A deadly combo
The 8 track album kicks of with it's title track 'Calamity Cabin'. Immediately setting the tone of the album with its heavy riffage, the song kicks into gear around the 1 minute mark with frantic drums and metal riffs. Certainly not a wow song but it'll get your head banging and thats the intent.
Track 2 'Walking in Circles' continues with the heavy locking on to a more enjoyable beat early on and running with it, briefly slowing things down mid song before ramping the metal back up to finish the track.
More accessible than track 1, it's a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
Track 3 is the albums longest track, the 5.5 minute 'The Forest Sings'. The metal continues with numerous tempo changes and frantic riffage. Like the previous tracks the programmed drums by Dan Monti are on point adding to and elevating the track. Another enjoyable headbanger.
Track 4 is the 1.5 minute 'Downpour'. Delivering more of the same it locks on to a nice lick early on but does end far too early to really lock you in. Still, we know there's more heavy metal to come so it's alright.
Track 5 is the gloriously titled 'What a Weird Room'. With it's drums, tempo and harmonic squeals, this track screams Dimebag Darrell and Pantera. A more traditional sounding metal song this one is the most accessible yet and along with Track 2 'Walking in Circles' is an album standout.
Track 6 'Found in the Tomb' continues with nasty metal riffage and is another solid listen. Again it's more of a traditional sounding metal song than the out of the box Buckethead in earlier tracks and that's certainly not a bad thing. It's nothing flashy or overly technical, its just metal up your ass.
Track 7 is the 3 minute 'Hollow Door'. The excellent metal riffage and frantic drumming continue with Buckethead in the pocket the entire time. Another enjoyable track, again it's easily accessible and an album standout.
The album concludes with Track 8 'Beware of Quick Sand'. Again the riffs are fantastic and the pacing of the song is on point with a constant flow of riffs, never slowing itself down, arguably the best paced song of the album. A solid track to end on and another album standout.
Overall, Pike 82 is an album of pure metal riffage and one of the better heavier albums released by Buckethead. There's not a single solo on the album and it really doesn't need them. And unlike the similar metal offering of Pike 30's 'Mannequin Cemetery' where metal song after metal song can become quite tiresome when things aren't changed up that much, this is one that can be enjoyed track after track as an album without it feeling much of a muchness. Heavy metal and frantic drums aren't everyone's cup of tea but this is a far more accessible metal album than some of Buckethead's other metal Pikes.
After adding up the rating I gave for each track, It came to exactly 65%, which I'd categorize as Good. You can find my song ratings and breakdown on our website natternet.com
So, what's your rating for Pike 82? Be sure to let us know.
To work out what percentage you'd give the album, rate each song out of 5 stars, add up your total and divide it by the total score possible, which for Pike 82 is 40. Then times it by 100.
Pike 82 'Calamity Cabin' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. Calamity Cabin **¾ (2.75)
2. Walking in Circles ***½ (3.5)
3. The Forest Sings ***¼ (3.25)
4. Downpour **¾ (2.75)
5. What a Weird Room ***½ (3.5)
6. Found in the Tomb ***¼ (3.25)
7. Hollow Door ***½ (3.5)
8. Beware of Quicksand ***½ (3.5)
Album length: 29:54
Total = 26 out of 40 (Album = 65%, Good!)
1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome
Buy the Album HERE