A little bit of character is vital for a good band. As much as metal will always have bands with song titles like "Burn," "Pain" or some phrase involving the word "Hell," it's always welcome to see titles and appearances that catch people off guard. Such is the case for Massachusetts metallers Gozu, who have taken inspiration from movies, professional wrestling, and Mr. T to catch people's attention. With their sixth full length outing, appropriately named "Gozu VI," the quartet continues this trend, as well as the habit of forging interesting and enthralling tunes.

Things get off to an interesting start right off the bat, as a lonesome guitar rings out for a while before the rest of the band joins in. This is the sound of "Corinthian Leatherface," the opening number, which boasts a wonderful energy and is the kind of track one wants an album to begin with. It's thick, it's groovy and it's exciting. There's a strong stoner metal sound, with a little bit of desert rock thrown in for good measure to echo Southern rock and roll, even if Gozu are from Boston. Not only that, but it's a strong example of the vocal prowess that frontman Marc Gaffney possesses, as his voice permeates throughout the song, and indeed, the album.

Excitement is very much the order of the day on "Gozu VI," with several tracks really getting the listener's feet moving and head nodding. The single "Banacek" is perfect for this, pushing creating a feeling in the pit of one's stomach that's usually reserved for roller coasters or dangerous driving (which I'm not condoning, but good lord this song would be a great soundtrack for such recklessness). Elsewhere, "Gimme The Lute," a title that I absolutely adore, keeps up the fun and feels fresh throughout, changing gears at all the right times to remain interesting.

It's not all fast and frenzied though, as there are several songs that make use of the blues influence that is still a trademark of stoner metal. "Corner Lariat" is one such example, meshing melancholic blues with grunge misery, without becoming a dirge or wallowing in self-pity. "They Did Know Karate," (the name referring to "They Probably Know Karate" from the "Equilibrium" album) also channels the blues, though with a harder edge. The hypnotic rhythm reverberates for over seven minutes, which could have very easily risked the song becoming boring, but it's used in such a way that it's almost meditative.

Ultimately, Gozu has added a very strong notch to their belts. The songs are strong, though there is something missing that doesn't bridge the gap between "very good" and "excellent," though many would argue that's simply a matter of taste or preference. Nonetheless, Gozu can and should be very proud of their latest offering, as it provides a lot to enjoy in different ways. The band are set to hit the road with Restless Spirit this year, and both will be pleased with the new songs they can present to concert-goers, though in a friendly rivalry, this reviewer would give the edge to Gozu.