Though Nazareth are often overlooked in comparison to many other hard rock bands of the ‘70s, they’ve been consistently keeping the faith for over forty years. Hair of the Dog is the stone classic, but 2011’s Big Dogz features just as much hard- rock menace. “Big Dog’s Gonna Howl” kicks off with singer Dan McCafferty proving he hasn’t lost a step and the band’s inner funk can still be called up at will. “No Mean Monster” is a satisfying six-minute epic, while “Time and Tide” brings forth a worthy ballad for road-tested rockers. “Radio” turns up the velocity while putting forth the album’s catchiest tune. The dry production gives the band a tough natural edge. They’re in a curious spot, locked in between hard rock and heavy metal, where Cafferty’s vocals tip things towards metal with the raspy “Lifeboat” and the barroom blues of “Watch Your Back.” The rhythms keep them moving between genres. “The Toast” shuffles. “Sleepwalker” boogies. They play like the veterans they are.