After Dark (named after the Type O Negative videoset?) may be hailing from New York City, but they seem to be epitomizing the whole lot of the US heavy metal geography in their sound.

Delving lyrically with some horror topics, the band combines commercial horror rock of Danzig and Alice Cooper, Maryland/DC style of doom, NYC grit and Southern fried attitude. The Unknown riffs are chunky and distorted, while those little swirling leads bring shreds of melody, with the overall product shifting into super-groove. Ghostriding starts with gobs of brooding bass and some distorted amplifier worship, only to end up galloping with an elegance of a mammoth.

This 3-tracker crushes and shocks you out at the same time, but always with a hint of not-so-well hidden debauchery just waiting to unfold. To add to the Southern rock (Eyehategod) atmosphere vocalist Alex Dementia has a very interesting enunciation with his throat constantly throwing it back for extra reverb. At the same time, there is still a hint of tough New York guy in him. But as long as the dudes (and a girl, as Veronica Bellino is handling the drums) don’t reach into some NYHC (hardcore) territory, they would not lose me. No outta control screaming and no jumping up’n’down while listening to this heavy bastard.

Two EPs behind their belt, the After Dark crew seems to be on the right path. Southern Lord, At a Loss Recordings or even some stoner oriented labels may give this a shot.