D.OA.-Northern Avenger

Sudden Death
2008

D.O.A. has released their 12th studio album just in time for their 30th anniversary. Thirty? Wow, can that really be true? I guess so, hard to believe though as I remember first hearing and becoming a fan of theirs back in the 80’s and they seemed kind of like a newer band at the time. Founder/vocalist/guitarist Joey Keithley has always been the real deal in my book, he has kept true to the punk rock sound, lyrics and spirit that he had three decades ago when this band began. Not a lot of surprises on the new album as the lyrics include both political and humorous leanings. The music has quite a few barnstormers and a few where they take their time as well. Okay the playing is tighter as years ago they wouldn’t have been able to change up the pace as easily as they do now. Also Northern Avenger was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Motley Crue) as he does a fine job of bringing to sound to the forefront with losing any of the natural edge. D.O.A. has always had a knack for bringing out the rock in punk rock yet they have always kept focused and grounded about delivering the kind of lyrics and feel that they want to bring to the label. Punk rock as it once twenty-twenty five years has changed and now you get a lot of variations and some are fine, but others are more watered down. So it’s great, even refreshing to hear a band sticking to their roots and putting a strong rooted, heavy punk rock album.