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The Boys From
Brutalsville
AntiSeen |
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They ain't kidding with AntiSeen… and how bout "AntiHeard" while we're at it? These guys have been around eighteen years and are said to have fifty records under their bellies… um, belts. Well I'll be the first to congratulate their longevity; they must be doing something right. But aside from hearing the name passed here and there I had no clue they've done this much… even more surprisingly, listening to the vocals-a term I'd use very loosely-how did the singer's vocal cords manage to hold out for even two records let alone, all these? "Boys From Brutalsville" is chrome-plated beer-swilling, pig-slicing Punk Rock, barroom Blues… war-torn Metal, or basically every endearing quality that a band like Motorhead could whistle and piss their way to their much acclaimed infamy… there's little difference. Now imagine Motorhead meets Molly Hatchet somewhere in a back alley way after a long night of drinking and suddenly they all break into song… like that would happen? But hypothetically, I can't think of a better likeness to draw to exemplify AntiSeen's style-pure raunch, driven to a filthy excess, they'll grab you by the throat and throttle the Hell out of you till you're left knocky-kneed and trembling with fear. You got four pissed off looking guys from down South that looked like they climbed straight outta the wrestling ring and into the album cover credits-bad ass backwoodsmen in the finest Rob Zombie poses and dripping with an anarchistic quality the likes of something way back outta the early days of C.O.C… and I'd dare say if C.O.C.'s progression went anything the way of these guys, there wouldn't be a soul left to bitch about their latest mellowing out phase. Southern charm gets kicked in the balls and swept quickly under the counter moments into "Guns Ablazin'," "Run My World," an I'll be damned rant about callous law makers and their poorly run state operations… or something to that extent…. "Smoke & Fire," and "Broke Down Blues" dull the roar ever so slightly with a slow moving swamp swim put to '70s style Southern Rock and Blues with nary a hint of Skynyrd or the Allman's for miles… there's entirely too much inebriated excess involved for either of those two… though that's not to suggest their road-side culture was one of… good conduct? And there's a bruising cover of an often overlooked but incredible Ramones' tune, "Commando," a head-flattening measure by anyone's standards and unsurprisingly a perfect fit here…. And forget trying to fill in the lyrical spaces left over from the original, it just ain't gonna happen here. AntiSeen, they ain't been seen in days-five years since "Here To Ruin Your Groove" anyway-but when they do decide to show up, whoever or whatever's still left standing will damn well know they were there-and would be best advised to receive some immediate counseling! Released by TKO Records Review by Vinnie Apicella
[va85@columbia.edu] |