Sounds Like Hell, Looks Like Heaven is the sixth full-length album by Swedish stoner/heavy metal band MUSTASCH. Goofy name, but ass-kicking band. The simplicity of the their well-crafted riffs and song structures combined with their catchy pop aesthetics are highlights of this band’s sound. But the best part about them is the gruff and commanding vocals of Ralf Gyllenhammar, sounding like a cross between Glenn Danzig and Ian Astbury of THE CULT. The riffs are first-class, and the catchy choruses and driving rhythms with a ’70s rock vibe of bands such as UFO, SCORPIONS and THIN LIZZY. The album is the perfect length at 35 and a half minutes, and every song, excluding CD closer “Northern Link” — a bunch of traffic reports spoken is Swedish — is a hands-down winner. Oh, and how much cowbell can you take in your rock songs without it becoming a cliche? Well there’s plenty of it here, along with some catchy, chant-able choruses, sledge hammer riffs and thunderous tom tom fills. This is some great, raucous rock ‘n’ roll with a sleazy swagger.
