By Greg Maki
“Good God/Baad Man” is a record that could come only from a veteran band, a collection of musicians who have learned a thing or two over the years, players with more than a few gray hairs. “Grizzled” is a word that comes to mind. There’s a certain kind of lived-in confidence driving the Sabbath-by-way-of-ZZ-Top riffs; drums that rest oh so comfortably in a deep, deep pocket; the unexpected—and sometimes oddly placed—musical detours; and the variation and playfulness of the vocal delivery.
Corrosion of Conformity has been at this for more than four decades, and that experience shows in all the best ways on this double album that never once lags throughout nearly 70 adventurous minutes. This sounds like a record made without a hint of outside pressure—just a band following the music down whatever path it takes.
COC has undergone a couple major changes since releasing “No Cross No Crown” back in 2018, with the passing of drummer Reed Mullin in 2020 and departure of bassist Mike Dean in 2024. They’ve been replaced by Stanton Moore (back after subbing for Reed on 2005’s superb “In the Arms of God” album, though Nick Shabatura appears to be the permanent drummer moving forward) and Bobby Landgraf (Down), respectively. Vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan and lead guitarist Woody Weatherman remain the driving creative forces, but they aren’t simply picking up where they left off with the previous album.
The opening “Good God” portion hews closer to the band’s heavier side, yet it’s not all intensity all the time—see the bluesy, nine-minute “Run for Your Life,” for example. Things really open up when “Baad Man” ushers in part two, the band letting its Southern rock influences shine through like never before and Keenan in particular sounding like he’s having an absolute blast. The influences are vintage, but it’s a completely fresh take on COC. These songs are just flat-out fun, and that’s not how I would describe “No Cross No Crown,” “In the Arms of God” or even COC’s ‘90s classics “Deliverance” and “Wiseblood,” good as they may be.
Warren Riker’s production, loose and light on its feet, all but places the listener in the jam room with the guys. The songs virtually cry out to be played live onstage—a front-to-back performance with an encore of “Albatross,” “Clean My Wounds” and one or two other favorites would be a night to remember. More long-running bands should follow COC’s lead and just let the music flow.
Rating: 9/10
Nuclear Blast Records – April 3, 2026
LINKS:
Buy/stream/save “Good God/Baad Man”
www.coc.com
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