There seems to be something of a shortage going on of heavy music in the tri-state area. Or maybe, just maybe, I’m looking in all the wrong places. So when a band like Bloomfield, New Jersey based Acid Priest pops up, they immediately draw my attention. I’ve been keeping my eye on them since hearing their first recorded song “The King Tide” was released back in April. I was instantly blown away and their EP that followed, Drop Out, released in June, only impresses me further. Think old-school Kill ‘Em All-era Metallica, meets the best aspects of Sabbath, with razor sharp vocals reminiscent of bands like Every Time I Die and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, along with some obvious punk and psychedelic influences.  If that doesn’t grab your attention, you should probably move on.

Their name alone combines two of my favorite subjects – LSD and religion. And the artwork for the new EP is beyond the dopest thing I’ve ever seen (can I order a shirt, please?). “The King Tide” is still one of the sickest songs I’ve heard in quite some time, but the one song that stands out on the record to me is the track “WarWagon”. So much of their style reminds me of thrash metal, and the epic scope of the song alone is impressive – it seems to rise and fall but never give up, showcasing the bands plethora of influences while also demonstrating their incredible technicality instrumentally.

It’s incredibly hard for me not to fanboy out over this band. There doesn’t seem like there is enough music like it in the tri-state scene. While most local bands seem to play it safe by staying within the bounds of indie rock and other softer alternatives, bands like AP obviously don’t give a fuck and I absolutely love it. It feels like the beginning of something and I’m looking forward to see just what Acid Priest will manifest into.

Currently the band is only on Facebook and Bandcamp, but maybe if fans clamor loud enough we can get them to put their music on more platforms? Their next show is September 14th at the Clash Bar in Clifton, New Jersey alongside Black Wail, Tower, and A Dear A Horse.