The Dawn of Electric FrankensteinElectric Frankenstein |
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Exhumed from the ashes from whence it came, the mighty monster returns to the past to dig up a number of previously buried tracks from itself and those bands formerly associated with the members before this ungodly creation ever drew its first breath. Somewhere during the early nineties, Sal Canzoneri had the notion to bring this monster to life-and so the meek shall inherit the earth? I don't think so. For anyone following Electric Frankenstein in recent years, little has changed between then and now-sure there maybe another singer, or a clearer production, but when it comes to unleashing a horrific blend of sci-fi b-movie atrocities fused with a pulsating punk rock attitude, none come closer to perfection than EF. Featuring five of their earliest cuts, the monster rises and crashes through loudly-an abominable sight to behold and a sound worthy of yesterday's cult favorites of the underground… but alongside, we find a few other reasons to leave the light on before going to bed. The Crash Street Kids, featuring the early shrieks of one Steve Miller, an EF original, bring their slovenly brand of slop-rock to the table-a finer example of punk rock excess you're not likely to hear… but luckily, if it weren't for this collection, you probably never would! Keeping in mind each of the three "other" bands predates EF, the sound expectancy is not dissimilar but not quite the same. Crash Street Kids bring a slightly fresher sound, nearly catchy, almost an out take of just about any song you've heard by D-Generation or try taking a look back toward The New York Dolls. The Thing brings that old-tyme fuzz and foam surging past the rim with their stoner friendly psychedelic punk that actually began back in '86-frightening indeed! And now who's your daddy? Finally we come across Kathedral, led by Canzoneri's brother Dan in what is easily the most outlandish style arrived at here-very dreary, completely caustic, underground and gothic-quickly drawing several drops of blood from Sisters of Mercy and "Black Planet" while their own infamy included working with former Christian Death leaders Rozz Williams and Eva O-listen to the gripping cover of the Cooper classic "Desperado" but stay close for the next two, "Evening Fear" and "Descending Wish." While few could argue that the whole of Electric Frankenstein is not mightier than the sum of its parts, the widely diverse components that previously existed and later went into the forging of this monstrous being may finally be realized… Released by Triple - X Records Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu] |
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"Buzz of a 1000 Volts" Electric Frankenstein |
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These guys have been tooling around for better than ten years now, mastered in the art of monstrosity, experimentalism an empty room where the good doctor and his famed creation are concerned, EF stays true to the roots of all evil with their high-energy Blues-infused Punk Rock static, raw, unrefined and proudly analog… Plug 'em in and let 'em roar on
twelve furious tracks of unearthly dirges, underground grooves and haunting
melodies inspired by the moonlit pale, past to present, AC/DC Moments in you're immediately drawn to the clutches of that which walks the night, a ghastly presence preying upon listener fear, fed by impulse, a power chord calling shines through where tracks like "The Mess," "Dead On Beauty," "Death Dealer," and "American Lies" recall Rock & Roll's glorious past life and return; a reincarnation starved for new souls. Flying the banner for "real" Rock & Roll for a number of years, Electric Frankenstein, among its many intricate parts, embodies the spirit of the so-called, spanning a mile long list of influences credited in the contents, they storm through the gates of history with the force of Motorhead, the virility of a Jerry Lee, the subtle charm of a cold chill on a dark autumn night… Catch "The Buzz" and grab a "Fistful" o' the hard-stuff; the underground's calling and you'd do well to listen. Released by Victory Records. Po
Box 146546, Chicago, IL 60614.
Review by Vinnie Apicella
[va85@columbia.edu] |