August 27th, 2018 - A Sour Ranger Born In The Streets

 

Hey there beer freaks and head-bangers!  Your drinkin' buddy the Meista here today with another rockin' pairing for ya... a Sour Ranger from Proper Brewing Company and "Born In The Streets 1983-1984" by the mighty thrash masters Hirax / L.A. Kaos!

Album Info: 

• Artist: Hirax / L.A. Kaos
• Title: "Born In The Streets 1983-1984"
• Recorded: 1983 through 1984 
  Release date: April 3rd, 2018 (10th studio split album by Hirax)
• Record company: F.O.A.D. Records
• Production: Katon W. De Pena
• Album cover art: ?
• Personnel: Katon W. De Pena (lead vocals), Brian Keith (drums), Gary Monardo (bass), and Bob Savage (guitars)
• Musical style: Thrash metal, speed metal
• Sound: One of the most underrated thrash metal bands in my opinion, Hirax combines speed, aggression, high energy, and the passion of lead signer and founder Katon W. De Pena (which is a hell of a lot I tell ya!) to create a wonderfully classic sound!  The guitar work is fiery and fierce, the bass is a roar or cannons in a thunderstorm, and the drumming is machine gun fire all while Katon belts out a monstrous vocal barrage! 
• Major themes: Rebellion, war, valor, freedom, violence, desire, etc.
• Note: These are the original demos, the original tracks Hirax ever recorded. the tracks from the L.A. Kaos demos are taken directly from Katon's own demo tape!
• Tracks:   

1. "Born In the Street" - Hirax
2. "Battle Cry" - Hirax
3. "Stand And Be Counted" - Hirax
4. "Believe In The King" - Hirax
5. "To Be Free" - Hirax
6. "The Saviour" - Hirax
7. "War Hero" - Hirax
8. "Intro / Life Goes On" - L.A. Kaos
9. "She's Man Killer" - L.A. Kaos
10. "My Baby" - L.A. Kaos
11. "Y.B.D." - L.A. Kaos
12. "Runnin'" - L.A. Kaos

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Proper Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.properbrewingco.com/ 
• Brew: Sour Ranger
• Style: American Wild Ale
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 17 
• Ingredients: Wheat malt and blackberry puree
• Pour: The Sour Ranger pours a clear, violet-red with a 1-finger, frothy, very light pink head that dissipates to a thin ring and leaves only trace lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the Sour Ranger is very fruity, rather tart, sweet, and slightly malty.  There are aromas of fresh blackberries, blackberry jam, raspberries, strawberries, lemon juice, light red wind vinegar, a hint of cracked wheat, light cereal grain, and just a hint of honey. 
• Taste: Like the nose, the taste of the Sour Ranger is a tart, fruity, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of fresh blackberries, raspberries, lemon juice, and light honey. 
• Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is very crisp, tart, and juicy with a dry, clean finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy, tart, and juiciness of the easy-drinking Proper Brewing Company Sour Ranger is perfect for the fast-paced thrash metal stylings of the kick-ass boys of Hirax / L.A. Kaos!!  Both the beer and the album demand your attention and get you going!

Cheers and hails!!  Raise your fists and raise your pints!!