savagely into licorice vinyl which packs thrusters of, um, featured on this
here Thrasher platter is, just got to be, the line-up, far-out, eh?
Yea...I read with both scorching eyeballs the letters, Faction, JFA, Kingpins
(with Casual Craig...to boot), Big Boys, TSOL, McRad, Borscht, Drunk Injuns,
Tales of Terror, Free Beer, los Olvidados, Anvil Chorus, and these Ancestors:
Gods of Sound. Wow. Well produced, the music, um, transcends the aerial planes,
only to land in that cranium shell, ya know, shakes me up. Fun, fun, fun, and
that dude, Mofo, did a hell of a job with this...everyone applaud. It even has,
um, this turgid magenta color cover, which is how your face looks, hee, hee,
hee, when da Mo' digests up that last burrito, ya know, gnarly guy! het. Rad
action to massacre your deck to, man. Are you listening...?
November 1984
THE UNTOUCHABLES - Live and Let Dance LP - Twist Records
High-stepping, toe-tapping blue beat, for all you Mod/Ska skanksters
raving that irresistable swirling sound. The untouchables mix a feverish
flavor of reggae, R&B, soul and ska dance keys, with an effective brass
background harmonizing this energetic diversity of pleasure rhythms.
This young, seven-piece, multi-racial outfit positively charge their
vitality out of L.A. to the world in the tradition of the Specials,
Madness, or the English Beat, letting the audience feel some fluid tick-
tocking sounds. "Free Yourself" is the highlight track, with a very '60s-ish
blend of catchy elements that has a happiness to its swinging beat, as
hypnotizing bass and guitar work strum out an infectious charm. With
The Untouchables ot on the heels of success, looks as though the ska
movement might hit it big again. as those feet blaze a dancing floor.
July 1987
E-Z-O - E-Z-O LP - Geffen Records
Hard and heavy, E-Z-O will make you jump out of your seat only to kick
your feet out from under you on the way back down. That's the kind of
rush that builds E-Z-O's momentum. Fresh out of Japan, E-Z-O's approach
mixes a definite KISS/Sweet rockin' influence with a vocalist who sounds
much like German metal screamers Klaus and Udo(Scorpions and Accept).
Masaki's voice, though, expands far beyond these influences. Plus, production
by Gene Simmons and Val Garay adds a total arena sound to this already
powerful band. Look out, this band dominates. One of the hottest hard-rockin',
metal-lickin' outfits in ages, especially on such tracks as "Kiss of Fire",
"House of 1,000 Pleasures", "Desiree" and "Flashback Heart Attack." The four-
piece E-Z-O, complete with facial designs and a dricing sound, do what the
first two KISS albums did, and on this debut LP, it's a killer change.
November 1987
GASTUNK - Under the Sun LP - Vice Records
A great, painted gatefold sleeve introduces you to Gastunk's second effort,
which is an aggressive metal assault. The members of Gastunk have combined their
hardcore roots with a rock structure that shows crafty changes and powerful
potential. Baki's voice sears outward with a unique, operatic quality. Straight-
forward metal guitar riffs slice 'n dice, the drums smash hard and the beat will
get you bangin' the noggin'. Good production makes for a solid eruption. Another
promising Japanese band.
January 1988
FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM - Dawnrazor CD - Situation Two
How come I discovered this hot new English band in Japan? Fields of the Nephilim
are definitely the next big cult band. There is a charisma in the sound they produce
that's overwhelming. If you're a fan of The Mission or Sisters of Mercy, here's a
band that fits right in between. This LP features crafty guitar riffs that are
eerie yet dangerous with a neat gothic appeal, yet not so far out that they
become annoying. Deep haunting vocals tower over the excellent musical compositions
that even have a slight western feel. The songs on this CD all have an appeal that
makes you want to hear them again. And for thirteen tracks, it's definitely worth
the money.
June 1988
THE MISSION - Children LP - Polygram Records
It's a windy night in Los Angeles. The Mission are in the US again, this
time for a few 'label' gigs to introduce the new album. The magic of The Mission
came alive that night as it does on their third LP. Like their show, the album
starts off with the excellent "Beyond the Pale" and continues with a host of
hits. "Tower of Strength", "Kingdom Come", "Child's Play", and "Heat." This is
definitely a fine hour for The Mission. The music is sweet and relaxed, a dreamy
ensemble of guitars and Wayne's passionate vocals. John Paul Jones produced the
album, and there is a Led Zeppelin feel. It sounds like "Physical Graffiti" only
not as hard rocking, more in the experimental sense of chord and rhythm
progression. J.P.J's input is a fine addition. Simon and Wayne's guitar work is
superb, each song captivates the senses with acoustic, 12-string and electric
guitars and mandolin pieces. Craig's bass is upfront, strong and has a thick sound.
Smiling Micky Mish pounds the skins with a purpose and uses a good drum machine
program in spots. The last album introduced the mind to the aura of The Mission,
this Children release possesses the body, and the beautiful melodies hold
the edge and bring on continual enchantment.
Back to Articler Index
E-Z-O - E-Z-O LP - Geffen Records
your feet out from under you on the way back down. That's the kind of
rush that builds E-Z-O's momentum. Fresh out of Japan, E-Z-O's approach
mixes a definite KISS/Sweet rockin' influence with a vocalist who sounds
much like German metal screamers Klaus and Udo(Scorpions and Accept).
Masaki's voice, though, expands far beyond these influences. Plus, production
by Gene Simmons and Val Garay adds a total arena sound to this already
powerful band. Look out, this band dominates. One of the hottest hard-rockin',
metal-lickin' outfits in ages, especially on such tracks as "Kiss of Fire",
"House of 1,000 Pleasures", "Desiree" and "Flashback Heart Attack." The four-
piece E-Z-O, complete with facial designs and a dricing sound, do what the
first two KISS albums did, and on this debut LP, it's a killer change.
November 1987
GASTUNK - Under the Sun LP - Vice Records
A great, painted gatefold sleeve introduces you to Gastunk's second effort,
which is an aggressive metal assault. The members of Gastunk have combined their
hardcore roots with a rock structure that shows crafty changes and powerful
potential. Baki's voice sears outward with a unique, operatic quality. Straight-
forward metal guitar riffs slice 'n dice, the drums smash hard and the beat will
get you bangin' the noggin'. Good production makes for a solid eruption. Another
promising Japanese band.
January 1988
FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM - Dawnrazor CD - Situation Two
How come I discovered this hot new English band in Japan? Fields of the Nephilim
are definitely the next big cult band. There is a charisma in the sound they produce
that's overwhelming. If you're a fan of The Mission or Sisters of Mercy, here's a
band that fits right in between. This LP features crafty guitar riffs that are
eerie yet dangerous with a neat gothic appeal, yet not so far out that they
become annoying. Deep haunting vocals tower over the excellent musical compositions
that even have a slight western feel. The songs on this CD all have an appeal that
makes you want to hear them again. And for thirteen tracks, it's definitely worth
the money.
June 1988
THE MISSION - Children LP - Polygram Records
It's a windy night in Los Angeles. The Mission are in the US again, this
time for a few 'label' gigs to introduce the new album. The magic of The Mission
came alive that night as it does on their third LP. Like their show, the album
starts off with the excellent "Beyond the Pale" and continues with a host of
hits. "Tower of Strength", "Kingdom Come", "Child's Play", and "Heat." This is
definitely a fine hour for The Mission. The music is sweet and relaxed, a dreamy
ensemble of guitars and Wayne's passionate vocals. John Paul Jones produced the
album, and there is a Led Zeppelin feel. It sounds like "Physical Graffiti" only
not as hard rocking, more in the experimental sense of chord and rhythm
progression. J.P.J's input is a fine addition. Simon and Wayne's guitar work is
superb, each song captivates the senses with acoustic, 12-string and electric
guitars and mandolin pieces. Craig's bass is upfront, strong and has a thick sound.
Smiling Micky Mish pounds the skins with a purpose and uses a good drum machine
program in spots. The last album introduced the mind to the aura of The Mission,
this Children release possesses the body, and the beautiful melodies hold
the edge and bring on continual enchantment.
Back to Articler Index