Review: AlphaWhores ‘You Can Come Out Now’
So, 2025 looks like being the year of change. I know that internationally things are looking pretty apocalyptic, and the reality is that unless things do shift, we are all pretty much screwed, but on a more personal level, for me, it’s the year of changing my musical outlook too. Up until the beginning of this year, I am fully aware that my variation of music that I enjoy is quite eclectic.
I equally enjoy ‘90s indie as much as I do nu metal, and this does mean I’ve discovered a lot of new bands and sounds along the way. In recent years, I have added both Jambinai and Thurnin to my roster of essential listening, both so different, but both now cherished additions.
Well, today I can add another band to that ever-increasing list, and this time it’s Panamanian duo AlphaWhores, who have just blown my mind with their refreshingly different collection of songs, all nicely bundled on their newest album, You Can Come Out Now.
Initially I thought I had a good gauge on their sound, and from hearing their fantastic cover version/reimagining of Hot Chip’s Over And Over, I thought I was coming to the table to enjoy an upbeat doomy duo who would entertain me with their take on modern doom, with a little extra zing. I was in no way prepared for what would unfold over the next nearly fifty minutes.
If you are unaware of the band themselves, AlphaWhores is a sibling’s duo from Panama City, comprising of Massiel Pinzón (she), who is both drummer and singer, accompanied by Juan Carlos Garcia de Paredes (he) who assumes all guitar and co vocal duties, to maximum devastation. Both have a rich history within the music industry, but came together as a band in 2021, and ever since have been shaping their sound into the entity it is today.
It’s hard, if not impossible really, to try and categorise their sound as they don’t overly fit into any one genre. On the one hand, there’s some stoner sludge going on, but entwined is a fuzzy alternative doomy metal feel, which is hard to ignore. Sonically, at times they sound not dissimilar to Skloss and even dare I say it Alice In Chains. Not so much the real grunge era AIC, more so the recent years incarnation, but as a lifelong AIC fan, anything that can hold a candle to that band are golden in my books. Slow, drudgy basslines, coupled with Cantrell/Duvall harmonies, make for wonderous listening for sure.
That isn’t to say that’s what this is, because it is one hundred percent AlphaWhores. The band create a sound which is mostly slow, drudgy doom as it feels guttural, dirty, and sleazy. It’s the sound of that dank underbelly of the city, the darkness in the rainclouds, the bottom of the bottle of red wine. It has a feral uniqueness to it, but considering it’s only two people creating this sound, it feels like at least a couple more are in there too. The sound is so full, and played loud, it will have your furnishings shaking, such is the depth of that guitar line.
it quickly becomes clear just how much of a force of nature the duo truly is…
Vocally, it was a real surprise if I’m honest, I was expecting gravelly moodiness, but what I got was eloquently clean, vibrant and enjoyable lyricism, delivered by two incredible vocalists. It makes such a refreshing sound as it elevates the whole mood of the work, and laying atop such an ominously dark sonic backdrop, it is utterly necessary too. This can be heard and felt throughout, and over the course of the ten tracks, you can’t help but fall in love with AlphaWhores.
On an album, which is jam packed with highlight moments, it’s hard to point towards any real stand out moments, after all, the whole album is a standout, but for the sake of the review, I will implore you to check out a couple of tracks which I feel embody the bands full dynamic.
House Of Doom opens the whole album, and it’s right from this initial moment that it quickly becomes clear just how much of a force of nature the duo truly is. The moody and atmospheric opener gives us a sense of that darker, more pensive doomy side.
To parallel that, track two, Bloodsport ups the ante and provides a glimpse at the pacier, more volatile dynamic of the band. It’s this powerplay which is a pivotal theme throughout the whole album, and where one track will be mean and moody, the next will pull you up and blast you into the stratosphere.
Show Me Your Teeth is another benchmark moment, and as T-Rex Masseuse follows it, I even get a real Living Colour vibe from it all, which just provides another moment to point at the band’s vibrancy. Then as a closing exposé to the album, the finale track, Mood Setter, is a seven-minute masterclass in just what this band excel at. It’s got everything: highs, lows, drudge and vibrancy.
Absolutely perfect, one for the Top Ten of the year, without doubt, and all that’s left to say is keep an eye out for AlphaWhores, they are so worth your time. Better still, go and find them, you will be grateful that you did.
Label: Independent
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
