Day of the Oppressor

A further woman sung, yet long out of business Washington State band worth trivial pursuit, alongside a once consistently prolific Christian Mistress (made up of three of its members), entails Olympia's short-lived and oddly named Quayde LaHüe, author of pair of early EPs as well as lone 2019 full-length, Love Out Of Darkness. The second EP in question, 2017's Day Of The Oppressor, is slightly briefer than 2016's self-titled launch, with five loosely grooving, Christian Mistress crossed with White Stripes evoking tracks which, at times, also instill light, but fervently double picked, Wishbone Ash vibes from years long past.

The loud, ever rumbling bass of Reuben Storey, combined with Peter Connelly's jazzily Bill Ward-ish drums, beneath Johnny Wolf and Tim Dietrich's daintily powered and trebly guitar interplay, make for a fun, beer-buzzed bar band atmosphere, with star of the show Jenna Fitton's tremulous wails coasting in a liberating, finger snappish vein sure to instill enthusiastic road way cruising at top, window shaking volume. There's also an energetic level of old school NBWOBHM optimism, beginning with "The Oppressor" and its sordidly bopping, almost Witchfinder General-ish, ripple-waltz complete with toe-tickling rockabilly rhythm and lead not too far removed from The Goners, of eclectically partying, Swedish repute. If anything, there's no denying Quayde's cloying catchiness and retro funk.

Longest, nocturnal and more sinister "New Atomic Age" sleazes its way towards even more dangerous and sly mid-to-low range vocals on behalf of this absconded West Coast songstress, whilst shortest "Back To Reality" and "Symbol Of Fire" dive headlong into sparkly Joan Jett/Pat Benatar styled heavy rock slipstreams sure to illuminate vestigial childhood recollections of, not quite Cyndi Lauper or Samantha Fox, but rather, both above, in addition to distinctively feminine Girlschool and Rock Goddess.

Although there's no end of newly arisen, leading female candidates, it's always a shame when acts of Christian Mistress and Quayde LaHüe's high caliber slip between the cracks of obscurity. Well worth checking out, madams and sirs!