Bigwig "Reclamation" (Fearless)
By Jeff Dean
Monday. Apr 10, 2:16 PM
Metalliwho?

Reclamation is the fourth studio album by Bigwig: it’s also the band’s first record since 2001. So where have they been? Five years is a long time between records, no? Well, for starters, they now have a completely new line-up. The only original member left is frontman Tom Petta (the Bigwig himself). So I guess it makes sense that it took so long for a new record to come out, but how relevant does that make this release? Five years is a long time: does Reclamation hold up compared to their prior releases and what is popular in 2006? Well, for their sake (and ours), this record fucking rocks! I’m actually amazed by it. They haven’t lost a thing. In fact, I would say this is the best record they have released to date. Bigwig have always had a metal influence, so I guess it’s lucky for them that such an affinity has been “in” in hardcore/punk lately. Whereas songs like “A War Inside” and “Cross and Burn” stick to the traditional Fat Wreck Chords / Bad Religion formula, the likes of “Follow the Leader” and the title track are completely metal as fuck! It definitely seems like Bigwig have been listening to older Metallica more than NOFX. I swear “Follow the Leader” could be right off of Master of Puppets. Fuck yeah, man! Metallica can’t even play metal riffs this good anymore. The playing is superb! I would even say flawless. Does this mean Bigwig have turned into a metal band? No. It means that they have totally refined their sound to the point of perfection: Reclamation is the perfect representation of that. I guess it’s time for this old man to jump into the pit next time they come through Chicago.
www.njbigwig.com
www.fearlessrecords.com

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Jeff Dean

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