Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath

Words by Steve Melone

You might think that in order to cover Black Sabbath, you would need to be part of a hard rock or metal band. Austin-based psych-funk band, Brownout is not such, but held their own with a solid set of covers on their new release Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath, which dropped on June 24th.

Needless to say, it’s definitely a different take on the music that the gods of metal created many years ago. Black Sabbath selections include “The Wizard,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” “Black Sabbath,” “Hand of Doom,” “Into The Void,” and “Planet Caravan”, and from start to end, the sound is just as captivating as it was to Sabbath fans all those years ago.

Vocalists Alex Maas (The Black Angels), Alex Marrero and David Jimenez did a great job singing when needed and were even reminiscent of a young Ozzy from way-back-when at certain moments. Guitarist Adrian Quesada was absolutely spot-on with his playing, and stole songs like, “Into The Void” and “Planet Caravan”. Sabbath fan or not, you would be strange to not enjoy at least a couple of these tunes.

These aren’t just covers – they’re a whole new take on a classic sound. And yes, it’s not exactly theirs, but as Jim Jarmusch puts it, “Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.”

Overall, Brownout has a much less intimidating, funkier feel for the songs they chose on the album. Whether you’re a metal head, a hippie, a hipster or a classic rock junkie, check out Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath, it’s totally worth the listen.