siLLy puPPy PIKE 111 - NIGHT OF THE SNOWMOLE is the 10th album released by BUCKETHEAD in 2015. This one is just shy of the thirty minute mark clocking in at 28:55 and contains only two lengthy tracks that pretty much follow suit with the other PIKES that focus on a hard rock riffing sound with bluesy lead guitar over it.

“Phantom Steamboat” is the biggest behemoth of the two clocking in at 17:36. It is basically a constantly repeating hard rock guitar riff sequence that has lead guitar accompanying it. Compared to the previous “Pike 109 - Wall To Wall Cobwebs” the variations is not as impressive and this one gets boring really fast. Maybe music for the chickens to lay eggs faster? I dunno, but despite the impressive playing i am completely turned off by this one.

The title tracks which clocks in at 11:19 and begins with a strange electronic effect accompanying the guitar. The guitars then begin the expected hard rock riffing and then get accompanied by some ferocious soloing. The track continues with the hard rock chords alternating with the electronic effects and soloing accompanied all the while by a groovy bass line. Damn, i’m liking this one. There are interesting variations in both the instrumentation as the electronics play around with the rhythm guitar and bass and even the soloing has some interesting stuff going on. Actually one of the better PIKE tracks i’ve heard so far.

Hmmm. Hate the first track. Love the second. 3 stars i guess.