While he cut his teeth back in the 80's with the legendary DC Hardcore band Scream, Grohl was one of the many legions of teenagers (Blogmaster General included) who were equally entranced by both punk and the burgeoning underground metal scene that was happening across the globe. Metal or crossover bands like Metallica, Corrosion of Conformity, and Napalm Death had no problems acknowledging the equal influence of punk bands like Discharge and GBH along with their traditional idols. Conversely, many a punk could be seen wearing Motorhead shirts or showing up at their concerts.
Set the clock ahead to the early 2000's and Grohl, now a full blown rock star with the Foo Fighters, starts working on some metal songs in his spare time. As the story goes, many of these songs were designed with specific vocalists in mind but the wasn't supposed to go beyond the garage. Somehow, this little garage project took on a life of it's own and over time, Grohl started to reach out to many of these singers such as Mercyful Fate's King Diamond and St Vitus' Wino. The songs came together and by 2003 Probot was ready to go. With little interest from the majors, Grohl released Probot on Sunn - 0)))'s Southern Lord Records in 2004.
Probot explodes out of the gates with "Centuries Of Sin" - a collaboration with Venom's Cronus. Starting with an eerie, hellish intro reminiscent of their landmark song "Black Metal", it quickly becomes the best Venom song they never made. Sepultura's Max Cavalera throws down one of his patented screams on "Red War"- a track featuring the same quick time changes prominent on their classic "Chaos AD"album. What homage to the world of underground metal would be complete without Motorhead's ageless Lemmy who appears on "Shake Your Blood" - a song that even makes it into the occasional Foo Fighter's set.
The one amazing thing about this album is that, in most cases, how spot on Grohl was in matching the singer to the song. The Emerald Law with Wino, is a perfect showcase for his feedback drenched guitar. While lacking Voivod's instrumental prowess, "Dictatorsaurus" featuring Snake has a quirky sci-fi-like but is strangely pop-like.
Of the many great tracks on this album, "My Tortured Soul" featuring Eric Wagner of Chicago's very own Trouble is the standout song. Similar to their classic album "The Skull" it's that perfect mix of dark, doom style metal but has a very sticky melody.
The closing track "Sweet Dreams" is a horror movie set to music with vocals from King Diamond and punctuated with an apocalyptic guitar solo from Soundgarden's Kim Thayill. If you like this solo, check out Thayill's spine tingling guitar work on Sunn-o)))'s and Boris' track "Blood Swamp" - not for the faint of heart. Rumor has it, that if you keep listening to the album after the end of "Sweet Dreams" that guy from Tenacious D makes an appearance.
While it's not a perfect album - there are moments where Grohl could have used some instrumental support - Probot places the spotlight on a era of heavy metal that, while wildly influential, never quite the recognition it so richly deserved. Bravo to Dave Grohl to pulling this project together. Rumor has it that a second Probot album may appear one of these years.
Just as an FYI - here are the vocalists that appear on Probot. Listen to them if you dare.
Cronos - Venom
Max Cavalera - Sepultura, Soulfly
Lemmy - Motorhead
Mike Dean - Corrosion of Conformity
Kurt - DRI
Lee Dorian - Cathedral, Napalm Death
Wino - St. Vitus, The Obsessed
Tom Warrior - Celtic Frost
Snake - Voivod
Eric Wagner - Trouble
King Diamond - Mercyful Fate
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