Surf, Horror, and Heavy Twang: The Currie Brothers’ Genre-Bending Sound
Release Date: October 7, 2026
The Currie Brothers are an indie surf-rock act known for blending classic 1960s instrumental surf music with heavy vintage horror and monster movie themes. Alongside their core horror-surf sound, they have also experimented with heavier, garage-adjacent sounds, occasionally framing special releases as "accidental metal surf."
Between the striking cover art on their new release, Monsters of Surf by Andy McKenzie, and getting a sense of what it would sound like, I was intrigued!
Artwork for this genre needs a retro surf instrumental treatment, and in this case, the three colors of black, yellow, and green grab your attention fast. It has that B-movie 1950s monster art vibe.
“Gamma Ray Romano” jumps right out of the starting line with a powerful, rocking, resonating surf rock. Guitar pedal effects come into the mix as the bass and drums roll and crash. This is exciting and colorful music!
“The Crypt” reaches back to a more retro, first-wave twang, punctuated by pounding drums, crashing cymbals, and rolling bass lines. Their sound has a raw metal-punk edge while maintaining the surf roots from which it sprang. It ends with a creepy theremin sound.
“Merlin The Frog King” opens with a twangy, rocking intro, then the guitar sounds shift considerably. The rhythm section is a real juggernaut, and the guitars' rocking twang moves in and out of many transitions, constantly rocking but with different effects and tones.
“Ya Fink” has a country flavor. This is the one track that stands apart from the rest. Their power and command are still present; however, the melody is entirely different, with that twang and tempo of a country song, albeit still rocking with plenty of oomph! Very cool!
“Swamp Monster” pulls back into a smoother approach with a nice opening rhythmic guitar. The bottom end answers the call and follows suit; however, when the tempo changes, they amp things up considerably. Another meaty track with a lot of layers.
“Ogopogo” raises the bar again with an explosive, energetic burst of surf rock guitar. The cymbals crash away, with the bass keeping time on an equally driven path. Equal parts surf and rock make this yet another on-fire presentation of their metallic-influence brand of surf instro.
“The Phantom” follows their “Monster” theme, and it’s a big sound. This is in-your-face rock music with tremolo all around the edges. The dueling guitars of The Currie Brothers spare no prisoners on this track and all the previous ones.
“Coffin Canyon” takes on a more deliberate, dark, brooding tempo that fits the title. Reverberating guitar effects and the raw power here make it sound like Black Sabbath does surf! A great closing horror surf rock track!
Monsters of Surf is a powerful surf rock instrumental recording. Its raw, metal-influenced sound shows how it can blend with traditional surf elements. Not for the faint of heart, this music has a big sound with just enough surf to stay within the genre and its subgenres, making it a strong addition to your surf instrumental collection.
For fans seeking high-energy, genre-blending surf instrumentals with a retro twist, The Currie Brothers deliver a thrilling ride that stands out in today’s scene. Their imaginative approach and bold sound make Monsters of Surf an essential listen for anyone craving something both classic and fresh. They are like the rock em’ sock em’ robots of surf instro, they can pack a punch!
Credits:
Andrew Currie - Guitar
Rob Currie - Guitar
Seamus Saunders - Bass
Jared Davis - Drums
Kristian Noel Pedersen - Keyboards
All songs written by The Currie Brothers
Recorded & Mixed by Rob Currie
Mastered by Ron Skinner
Artwork by Andy McKenzie
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder
September 21, 2026
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