Holden, Randy
Population Iii
How do you follow up one of the most legendary, yet rarest albums said to signal the birth of doom metal? If you're Randy Holden, you give everyone about 50 years to catch up, then casually drop a tastefully modernized reinterpretation of that sound. 'Population III' picks up where Holden's 1969 solo debut left off, updated with several decades worth of technological advances and personal hindsight. In 2010, the guitarist/vocalist quietly coaxed into recording a followup album by Holden superfan and Cactus member Randy Pratt. Joined by drummer Bobby Rondinelli (who has played with Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Rainbow), the trio cut the 6-song collection of leaden future blues, 'Population III.' "Randy Pratt had written the basic song structures, he understood my music and where I come from quite well," Holden says. "He nailed it." But the recording was ultimately shelved for over a decade. "A year ago, in 2021 I listened to the songs and was delightfully surprised," Holden says. "I think it's the best album I've ever done." Throughout 'Population III,' Holden effortlessly dishes out squealing, soaring leads and skull-thwacking riffs with his signature low end grit and penchant for Middle Eastern scales. Coupled with Pratt's pocket-locked bass, the slight flanging effect on Rondinelli's drums and his pugilistic beats, the album occasionally brings to mind 'Presence'-era Led Zeppelin, particularly on the 22-minute epic 'Land Of The Sun.' Elsewhere, 'Swamp Stomp' echoes more the troglodyte blues of Holden's older work, with his evermore searing solos showing hints of early Clapton/Hendrix era guitar prowess to drive home the stomp of the song's namesake. At times, Holden sounds reminiscent of Neil Young leading Crazy Horse's ruptured grunge as his lilting falsetto vocals push and pull his guitar's siren's call. Taken as a whole, there's a very distinct difference between the way these veterans of hard rock's formative years carry the songs compared to the more lugubrious riffing of today's young doom purveyors. 'Population III' is the real deal - a powerful continuation of a sound forged 50 years ago, that almost didn't happen. Somehow, Randy Holden's music always finds a way to stand the tests of time.