Black Mastiff
Gig Seeker Pro

Black Mastiff

Band Rock

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Listen: Review of Black Mastiff"

Listen: Review of Black Mastiff
by Fish Griwkowsky
Published August 12, 2010 in See Magazine CD Reviews

Black Mastiff - EP
Some of the most common things said in Edmonton: “Boy, our river valley sure is great.” “Whyte Avenue sure is full of shitheads on the weekend.” “When are the smalls getting back together?”

The latter question may not be as pressing now that Black Mastiff has released an EP. Local filmmaker and handsome guy Bobby Yiannakoulias has more than a vocal similarity to Mike Caldwell, and this CD compares more than favourably to the first record released by the smalls, which I hope all of you own.

Like all of us really, this recording needs some mastering and tightening up, but the soul of it is menacing, Sabbath-blues stoner rock. Joining Bob are Choke’s Clay Shay and Allan Harding from Passenger Action. Excited yet?

Because of the seasoned musicians’ experience, the Mastiff EP is both technically compelling and, possibly more importantly, extremely patient with laying out its bloozey complexity. The guitar just twinkles, but its somehow not contradictory muddiness is important, too. We’ll hear how that comes out after finishing, but I like it as it stands, especially on “Last Line of Defense,” which exposes a screeching spine of effective string torture. Harding’s drumming is flawless, breathless. Even the song titles rule: “Keep Your Feet.” “Captured.” “Last Line of Defense.” Feel the tension?

Contact the band on MySpace, lurking under the name bigblackmastiff, to get yourself a copy. Every time these guys flick on the lights, I get excited. But there’s something powerful and important here, a soundtrack for the paranoid, which begins with the line, “Walking around in this weird fog — what am I doing here?”
- See Magazine


Discography

Black Mastiff - EP
Black Mastiff - LP expected early 2011
#1 on local radio chart (CJSR) week of November 16
(http://www.earshot-online.com/charts/cjsr.cfm?dWeekOFID=2010-11-16)

Photos

Bio

Black Mastiff Bio

Class:

Working

Breed:

Black Mastiff

Origin:

Edmonton, AB

Description:

The Black Mastiff is a powerful breed known for its thick grooves, tasteful leads, and soothing melodies. Though new to the scene they have over 35 years of previous touring and playing experience combined! This breed of musicianship is well versed in the trials and triumphs of being a Canadian working band. The Black Mastiff has a gentle temperament, but will not back down when presented with the opportunity to flex their powerful, yet soulful sound.

Not recommended for those who are ‘faint of heart’, this breed delivers a heavy dose of stoner soul rock. They are not afraid to stray from home and roam the nation; commanding attention, they convert idle listeners. The Black Mastiff is a first-rate breed, and with very little effort is sure to provide an excellent life long companion for anyone who is looking for a fresh and honest working breed.

Black Mastiff is made up of:
Vasilios (Bob) Yiannakoulias – guitar and lead vocals
Allan Harding – drums and vocals
Clay Shea – bass and vocals