Band:	Crooked X
Album:	Promo 2008
Style:	Hard rock
Website:	http://crookedx.com/
Release date:	2008

01. Gone
02. Rock N' Roll Dream
03. Time Is Now

So, here we have Crooked X, a hard rock newcomer straight from Oklahoma. If you live in the U.S., you may already have heard of them, if not, pay attention.

What's all the fuss about?

Whenever I encounter a fresh band that's getting tons of hype I always approach it with caution, even more so when that hype is primarily coming from the band themselves. In this case however, Crooked X has more to show than a flaming self-exaltation on their biography page. They seem to have gotten EMI to back them up, The CBS and Ted Nugent gave them praise (among others) and the PC-game ?Rock Band" felt enough to add them to their catalog. Also, the band members' parents say they're happy with whatever their boys are doing.

Wait, what?

Well, the band's average age is 14. Yes, you heard me right - fourteen years. I actually feel like a bit of a bastard for bringing that up cause the band claims they'd prefer people to hear their music first and then come upon the fact about their young age. And seriously, you'd never guess it without google'ing for it first like a geek that you are (go ahead, I know you want to).

So are they any good?

Indeed they are, even for a band not comprised of Kiss face paint sporting preteens. In fact, they'll make all guys named Marvin, who at the glorious age of 40 are still trying to make it with their <insert random band name> in their parents' garage grit and grind their teeth. Coming back to Kiss face paint, the obvious flaw in Crooked X's style is the lack of originality. The first track, ?Gone", starts identically to ?God Gave Rock N' Roll To You" whereas the second song "Rock N' Roll Dream" seems to have come straight off any AC/DC record (The title seems oddly familiar, doesn't it?). That, however, is the only place where the age factor plays a role in the band's music since apart from the guys' young influential minds, the EP sounds brilliant. The vocals, the sound, the production, and most importantly, the rock'n'roll vibe - it's all there. Actually, even the blatant riff-off's can be forgiven, seems as the band is aiming for radio-friendly rock anyway and let's face it, music in the radio world hardly leads a linear life these days. The only truly sucky thing is that you can't fornicate in any way while listening to Crooked X as that would probably land you on the ?local known pedophiles" list.

Who am I in comparison?

Let's put it this way - at the age of 14, these guys are probably getting more tail than you ever will.

Fuck you, Destroyah! Oh wait, you're right? Anyways, when can I expect more?

The band's self-titled debut album sees the light of day in January, so try to keep your pants on till then. Be sure to check back with Metal Storm as we'll be taking a look at the disc as soon as it's out to issue the final verdict. I wouldn't expect too much originality, but it seems that Crooked X is definitely one to keep your eyes on.