Rule of Two - Pharaohmoans
Rule of Two is a Rock band from western Pennsylvania. The self-proclaimed pioneers of “Western PA Dirt Rock”, this group combines elements of Rock, Metal and Blues to create their dirty and sinful sound. Today we are excited to share our thoughts on Rule of Two’s album, Pharaohmoans, which was released on September 30, 2022, about four years after the band’s last show.
Pharaohmoans begins with “All Hail the Minotaur” which sets the stage for with some absolutely grimy riffage and a powerful vocal performance, two hallmarks that Rule of Two will continue to showcase throughout the album. As will be a theme throughout the album, the lead guitar is show-stealing and sells the song just as well as the vocals do. “Metal-Man” is second and it keeps the energy flowing. The lyrics have a conceptual thematic that plays perfectly with how the song itself is arranged and performed. “Mr. Security” follows and it is actually the shortest track from the album at three minutes and fifty-six seconds long. Both the instrumental and vocal melodies line up perfectly in this song, making it one of my personal favorites from the album; the lyrics are also some of the strongest on the whole album. This song would be my pick for a lead single for sure.
“Shotgun Love” is fourth from Pharaohmoans. This one packs a similar punch to 70’s Hard Rock, all the while maintaining Rule of Two’s trademark style. I like how this one feels like a fresh take on a throwback sound. “American Gods” is next and it is another standout track. I think anyone who is rhythmically-minded will especially like this song; the bass and drums play well together on the entire album but it is especially evident on this particular track and as a bass player myself, I really love this one. “Amun-Ra” is sixth and it gives us a glimpse at some of the Blues vibes that inspire Rule of Two. The way this song breaks down is pretty awesome and it stands out as another personal favorite. These middle songs really pack a unique punch and I feel like they do an excellent job of keeping your attention as the album continues to progress.
“The Letter” features lead guitar that again has a Blues-y nature to it - and it really is an awesome song as a result. I love how you can hear Rule of Two’s influences and how they add a trademark coat of dirt to these sounds. “Thunderbird” is eighth from the album and the last non-live track. Once again I was left deeply impressed by the lead guitar in this song and the solo work was something to marvel at. “Barlow’s Lament” is the ninth song and the first live track, also featuring the longest runtime at nearly seven minutes in length. The sound of the fretless bass (mentioned at the outset of the recording) combined with the sound of the lead guitar here make for an absolutely ear-pleasing experience from the strings section. “Psych Ward Queen” closes out the album and is the other live song. I found the lyrics in this track to be especially creative and I love how the approach borders on storytelling. The band as a whole really sounds tight and on-point throughout the track’s duration, giving me a strong appreciation for the high quality musicianship these guys bring to the table. These last two songs have made me want to catch Rule of Two for a live show sometime in the near future so here is hoping they come back for a national tour someday.
I really fee like Pharaohmoans is a special album and that it has broad appeal beyond just Metal fans. Rule of Two’s unique Dirt Rock style combines many hard-rocking genres together to create a unique sound that is definitely dirty - and definitely electrifying. You can keep up with Rule of Two through Instagram and Facebook and we have Pharaohmoans embedded below via Spotify - click here to find it on your favorite service as well!
