Asphyxium Zine: Full Length Review: Incognito Theory "Days of Reckoning" (Curtain Call Records) by Dave Wolff

Band: Incognito Theory

Location: Kearny, New Jersey

Country: USA

Genre: Southern groove metal

Full Length: Days of Reckoning

Format: Digital

Label: Curtain Call Records

Release date: September 13, 2024

Incognito Theory is still actively promoting their work through advanced streaming and extensive social media word-of-mouth. Their wandering trip through America's underbelly reveals more about them than it does about portions of the country that are rarely shown on television or in films.

I reviewed an advance song from their latest album “Days of Reckoning" called “American Rebel” last year. It's nice to hear it on this CD; listening to it again let me feel the liberation its “ride free or die” attitude suggests. It also reminds me of an anonymous stranger traveling through an old west frontier town, carrying a six gun with him in case the need arises to use it. I notice a tremendous improvement in the band's songwriting and musicianship in “Days of Reckoning”.

The opening track “Set It Off” is reminiscent of Black Label Society and Corrosion of Conformity, and demonstrates how much their New Jersey flavored Southern rock/metal is becoming more prominent in its heaviness and groove. Incognito Theory's compositional technique is becoming increasingly refined; they're getting better at crafting chord progressions with subtle hints and grace notes, as well as more elaborate solos and guitar harmonies.

Black Sabbath and classic rock from the 1970s have been regular sources of inspiration for doom rock bands over the years. A lot of the notes in the progressions of Incognito Theory are a reflection of this process; they preserve the intensity that has been gradually accumulating over time while also increasing the album's commercial potential. Similarly, the songs contain sporadic allusions to arena rock from the 1980s along with Alice In Chains and Metallica from the 1990s, which are likely intended to entice fans to their live performances.

All this serves to enhance the “outlaw biker” vibe of their work. While listening, people who are not content with the same daily routine might imagine driving down highways and rural roads in search of new territory and delighting in what you find much more while learning what it's like to spend years traveling this road trip nonstop. "It's not the years, it's the mileage" applies here.

Songs like “The Rebel Soul” and “Ride On” show that self-discovery is not always joyful. Nonetheless, there's a sense that you're making the best decision for yourself, that your friends will always be by your side, and that you must persevere no matter how difficult self-discovery becomes. You must find the fortitude to defeat demons both within and without, so that when you're much older, you can look back and see that, in the end, you've lived life on your terms. –Dave Wolff

Lineup:
Dave Incognito: Vocals, lyrics, songwriting
John Mosco: Rhythm uuitar
Dave Crum: Lead guitar
Jay Prusack: Lead guitar overlay rhythms on "forsaken Me"
Mike LePond: Bass
Kenny Peer: Bass on "Breakdown" abd "forsaken Me"
John Mosco: Drums

Live lineup:
Dave Incognito: Vocals
Jay Prussack: Guitars
Kenny Peer: Bass
Dave English. Drums

Track list:

1. Set It Off

2. Hell Bent

3. Breakdown

4. Ride On

5. This Rebel Soul

6. Sunset Moonshine

7. Forsaken Me

8. American Rebel