France is famed for many things; the Eiffel Tower, fine wine, haute cuisine and more culture than you can wave a stick at. It is not however famed for it's ability to provide an abundance of quality metal bands. A sharp intake of breath came from much of the metal world with emergence of such bands as Gojira, as much in surprise as in appreciation. The dawn looked less bright however for the Stoner genre as a whole, as representation appeared as thin on the ground as hair on a monks head.

Step forward Alcohsonic, created little over a year ago, the brainchild of Seb Bismuth and Pierre Monjoin, a Stoner project with more than a distinct flavour of Kyuss, Spiritual Beggars and early Sabbath. "Never drink without sonic elements" is the bands first official release, and from the outset Alcohsonic's mantra appears clear; cram in some heavy duty bass lines, rasping vocals and as much 'groove' as one song will permit. Despite Bismuth and Monjoin recording the album as a 2 piece, the song writing and overall musicianship can only but impress and given their respective tender age, you can only see further improvement as time goes by.

The disc's overall vibe and production is steeped in a 1970's feel, lending a warmth to the songs that is so often lost in this pro-tools dominated era. "Alcohsonic Days", the opening number, despite a somewhat unusual opening sound bite, is a slick alcohol fuelled number, with an infectious riff that soon has you nodding in your head in approval. While the more melodic, yet none the less powerful, "Big City Life" demonstrates the bands ability to seamlessly mix the more slower tempo moments with full on wah wah driven riffs. The cover of Motorhead's "Doctor Rock", does appear to be an odd selection at first glance considering the obvious heavy Stoner genre influence of the rest of the album. However, true to form as is the case for the rest of the album, while not the strongest song on the album, Alcohsonic pull it off; just highlighting the strength of the original material on offer here to be able to eclipse a Motorhead classic.

The appeal of Alcohsonic that differentiates them from the herd is their stand out sound, not to sludge to ostracize the mainstream and not to mainstream to repel the hardcore stoners. While many bands linger, obsessed with revisiting already well trodden ground, Alcohsonic have no such compulsions. Choosing rather to pursue a style they can develop, making their own. While there are still some rough edges to be refined, "Never drink without sonic elements" is an impressive and accomplished debut and will, or at least should generate label interest in the band.