Metal Reviews

I'll tell you what; I'll take a fistful of rock and roll over a bellyful of emptiness anyday!

Don't quite know where that came from but since I started it may as well see where we can take it!

Well. okay, a bellyful of emptiness is about what it feels like having to be subjected to all this so-called "alternative" crap-mainstream top 40 in disguise, right?

So yes, dammit I'm hungry for something more. something real!

The world's ready for real rock and roll-let's tear it up!

Cheers to Mr. Canzonieri-first of all for being in one of the cooler bands around in Electric Frankenstein and secondly for assembling these two stellar compilations!

But next time Sal, let's go a little easier on the literature, I mean my eyes are still bulging here from all this reading!

But point well taken, right on the money!

What we get here is not only a fistful of rock and roll but also a faceful of screaming punk graciously provided by some of today's brightest bands still trying to make their way through the underground!

Volume One raises an immediate fist in the air with the Gaza Strippers doing "Missile Command," and though I've already forgotten what it sounds like, it definitely rocked!

It's probably not a good idea to attempt a song by song analysis here-there's just too much material and I'm not quite as dexterous as I used to be!

One of Victory Records' biggest achievements and smartest moves was coming up with this razor edged Misfits' type crew called Electric Frankenstein and one of the definite highlights here is "Speed Girl," which possesses all the funk and groove you'll ever need in this lifetime-real rock and roll captured in only one song!

But we got another thirteen left and you'll wanna grab a hold of the Candy Snatchers, RC5's "She Destroyer," who does so quickly and efficiently in just under a minute!

Action Swingers, El Diablo, Zeke, some you've heard before, some you won't have but all definitely among a new crop of vindictive talents with a fire in their belly ready to launch a new verbal tirade to the too sensitive ears of corporate knee-benders.

Volume II. Oh fuck, they did it again!

One thing I'll say about the insightful commentary and descriptive history provided in each volume here, there ain't nothin' left to be said!

This time compliments go out to Mr. John Mark King of the band Rocker City Riot who actually appear on the first volume with "On the Strip."

Supersuckers lead the charge here and after a loud dose of "Junk," you'll wanna make haste in clearing up all that unnecessary collection of dust-covered clutter on your shelves!

And replace 'em, f ast.

Snake Charmers, doing "Queen Fuck," are one of the better bands I've honestly never heard of.

We can say that for the next one Haunted Head-great name-and look out now, they're "Screaming at You!"

This is hard-core street flavored punk stress in its purest degree!

The cool thing about each of these compilations is that neither cater specifically to a punk audience-there are so many various influences running reckless within each track, and each band captures the true nature of what rock music once was and will be again.

We're getting a new rock invasion here by way of returning to its glorious roots and delving into each decade past and bringing all those unique aspects onto the surface of the future!

Check out the Silver Tongued Devils, Dead Man's Choir, Fearless Leader and Streetwalkin Cheetahs-doing their "Motor City Rock & Roll" thing-and can we guess where their primary influence might lie?

But I'll tell ya what, they're on fire here-talk about a "live" sound in the studio, shit!

A Fistful of Rock & Roll features about as good a roster of talent as you'll ever find assembled.

Tattoo quality artwork graces the covers and each group's background and contact info is provided and trust me-you'll wanna hear more!

And stay tuned for a big screen version of A Fistful of Rock & Roll sometime in the near future.

The famine that's been plaguing unsatisfied listeners all this time's about to come to an end, and I say, let the feast begin!

Released by Tee Pee Records: http://www.teepeerecords.com/

Review by Vinnie Apicella