Rising Conviction

With its new disc Salazar Brothers, local band Rising Conviction takes a step toward being in Ozzfest someday. The band has been creating a straightforward hard rock sound since 2000, although this latest release has more of a jam-session feel, with lengthy tracks, smooth transitions, and short interludes that are strongly influenced by early Tool albums, especially Undertow. Vocalist Dave Kranson switches back and forth from yelling to singing, but his gritty yell is clearly superior. When it’s combined with chugging guitars in some of the simpler, heavier songs, it sounds like a formula for success — Mudvayne and Motograter fans would definitely dig on this.