The long-awaited follow-up to I NAME YOU DESTROYER, 2006's IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER finds the Athens, Georgia-based noise-rock duo Jucifer dishing out more of its spare, strangely seductive tunes. While "The Plastic Museum" works its dark magic with ramshackle six-string lines and Amber Valentine's cooing vocals, "Hennin Hardine" immerses the listener in distorted guitar work and driving rhythms, allowing Valentine to cut loose with more urgent singing. Arguably Jucifer's finest moment, HUNGER is the sound of a band fully in command of its proudly limited palette.

The early 21st century saw the emergence of an onslaught of hard rockin' duos (most notably, the White Stripes). But Athens, GA's Jucifer was an exception to the rule: guitarist/singer Amber Valentine and drummer Edgar Livengood have been doing the two-piece thang since 1994. And as evidenced by their debut for the Relapse label (their third full-length overall), 2006's If Thine Enemy Hunger, the duo has no problem replicating the molasses-like heavy riffing/plodding tempos of the Melvins and Saint Vitus. As evidenced by such tracks as "She Tides the Deep" and "Four Suns," the group mostly follows a recipe that consists of Valentine's hushed vocals that can barely be made out over all the distorted power chords, while the verses keep the volume in check, before it spills over full-force into the choruses. Elsewhere, on tracks such as "Lucky Ones Burn" and "Pontius of Palia," Jucifer morphs into an indie rock band. But overall -- imagine a sleepy Debbie Harry fronting Black Sabbath -- you're not far off from the metallic style that Jucifer specialize in. ~ Greg Prato