For forty-six years they’ve been out there, dragging their gear from stage to stage, sweating on the faithful, building the kind of stamina you don’t get from going easy. You hear it in the opening minutes and it felt as if I still had that cheeky finger in my prison wallet from THAT night.
Geoff Thorpe’s guitar playing makes every riff feels like it’s got one hand on your hip, steering you somewhere you’ve never been. The new guy, Chalice has a voice that, by the time you realize what’s happening, you’re in it, and you’re not leaving.
Denver Cooper, that bastard could out play Beelzebub’s cock. The solos burn hot, curl into the air, and hang there long enough to make you squirm. The rhythm section Larry Howe and Robin Utbult keep things as tight as gnats vajayjay.
“Bloodbath” doesn’t waste time. It’s a slap, a bite, and a laugh in your face all at once. “Dogs Of War” is pure midnight mischief — the kind of track you put on when you know you’re not going to sleep until the sun’s up. “Crack The Sky In Half” is the song that convinces you to stay the night, even though you know you’ll regret it.
“The Devil's Asylum” is the moment right before you cross the line. You can still turn around, but you won’t. Every note’s a shove in the small of your back, daring you to step over.
They recorded this whole thing in a few weeks, and it’s got that fresh, dangerous heat of something that hasn’t cooled down yet and has no safe words.
If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of something filthy and thought, oh God, I shouldn’t be here, but stayed anyway, you’re going to like this album.
This album is worthy of going full on D.V.D.A. [Editor: Matt, I had to Google that and have questions...]
Words: Matt Denny.
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