‘Joe Holmes’ - Album Review
Today’s post is from our Friend HIM.
Fans of Sabbath-styled rock will find a lot to enjoy in Joe Holmes’ eponymous album (Org Music, 2026). After years of standing in the shadows, Holmes takes front and center (though still with a willingness to put his head down and let the music speak for itself). Thing is, he is surrounded by great musicians who make this a truly great outing: Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Robert Trujillo (of Suicidal Tendencies and Metallica fame), and Robert Locke (his partner in Farmikos). Of special note, his collaborator Brent Moffort and producer Richard Mouser. Let’s take a look at it, track by track.
“Speak Into The Sea” starts off like Soundgarden and then slams into something far different (listen to Locke’s fade-out wails at the end). As an intro, it is a teaser…and only a teaser of what’s to come.
“Cross Eyed Stare” is its own thing. It is a heady and propulsive shot forward. This is the song that made a promise that this album cashes out in spades! Listen to Holmes guitar. He could easily over-shred against this backdrop. Instead, he shreds while moving the entire band forward.
“The Deadfall” could be mistaken for later stage Dio-led Sabbath/Heaven & Hell (or the best of the Tony Martin era). And that is saying a lot, considering that it rides along a sludgy guitar and a powerful vocal performance by Locke. Towards the end, notice a couple of nice heavy bass notes by Trujillo as well.
“Ocin” is the ultimate metal baby, a Sabbath Garden of Alice sludge-fest. A Viking funeral trudging through puddles of bong water. Kudos to Trujillo and Bordin on this one! It even features a beautiful false stop, slow fade, ending… as if there was any way to end it!
“Away” starts like a ballad. But not. Here Locke changes his vocals. They are less angry, more plaintive. The guitar shimmers. This could be placed next to the best songs on Seventh Star (and that is saying something, considering that Hughes was taking charge of the pipes on a supposed-to-be-solo Iommi album). And Holmes’ solo soars alongside the drumming of Bordin on this one.
“Lay You Low” is a high point. Here we are, back in the Garden, with a touch of Alice (the one in chains). Locke talks-spits-sings these vocals. Staley would love this, as would the Spoonman. But the mix of Holmes/Bordin/Trujillo is just blasting on this song. There is even some between the ears mixing here (listen to this on a dedicated set of ‘phones).
“The Crush of Light” starts off… interesting. Not like the rest. And it continues a step out of step. Mid-career Sab? Sorta. A touch of bouncing… wait, what? That middle section just goes off the rails into Extreme-ish territory! This song both swings and rolls (notice the guitar layering). And Bordin driving home the point as they slam and pull this song towards the ending fade-out. One of the most eclectic songs on this album.
“Wake Into The Inside” brings things back into focus. This is Alice telling Black to go back to the Garden. Listen to those background vocals! Are we expected to go down on the inside or surrender to the Superunknown? Not sure. Then the song just gallops, with Locke challenging you to consider what is actually inside. Imagine! Holmes just tears up the sheet here. He soars. He takes on some other suggested influences. But he is his own beast as the song lumbers and swaggers towards the end (but note Locke’s high-pitched vocal slices towards the end… magical, if a bit buried).
Let’s be clear: Holmes has released one of the best albums in recent years… especially if you like Ozzy, Dio, Sabbath, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and good old rock n’ roll. This isn’t Glam. But this is rock. And this album was dedicated to Ozzy, his mentor and friend. If the madman is looking down, he is surely smiling.
Thanks, Joe. Can we get another?