Darkness Forever!Turbonegro |
|
For a moment I thought I was looking at a poster for the Magic World of Doug Henning… and all of sudden the last twenty years disappeared into oblivion! The rather "retro" cover of the latest Turbonegro release is a colorfully done throwback to '70s -and cheers to the man with the brush Frank Kozik-a fine nostalgic example in some regards but the music contained therein is pure rage for all seasons. The Scandinavian Punk outfit has unfortunately been broken up a few years before this live recording would be finalized and it is indeed a loss. In spite of the many who've sprouted up in recent years-not that anything much else will grow out in those parts-it's getting harder and harder to single out the quality from the overflowing quantity but there are still those who've got the jewels to stand ahead of the pack and create some memorable Rock & Roll and Turbonegro's one of them. I first heard them on a "Fistful Of Rock" series compilation and right away singled 'em out as one I wanted to hear more of. I'm getting more than I can handle on this live record I'll tell you that much-going out with a bang never quite added up to… this! "Darkness Forever!" may indeed be an ironic send off for the band's recent death but back in late '98 they were alive and well and so were there fans… Recorded over two shows begun in Hamburg and ending in Oslo at polar ends of the year, it's nearly impossible to comprehend how a live recording in an expectedly small setting could've come out not only so in yer face but crisp, clear and intense without use of overdubbing or other external finesse… and yet that's what it's what we're getting… First three cuts are simply phenomenal… who are these guys? "Get It On" reminds me of just about any Ramones tune they've ever recorded-"I Just Wanna Have Something To Do…" yeah, you know what I mean? All in all we got twenty Heavy Rock and "Death Punk" tracks spanning the history of Turbonegro as well as being commemorative of their best material throughout their existence-which must've been some freak show judging by the booklet photos. Now I'm beginning to see the significance of the cover art-you gotta get a glimpse of these guys! And then, what else might we expect? Not without their degree of immaturity and sadistic leanings, we'll cut right to some of the highlighted moments without going into great detail as three chord Heavy-edged sweaty Rock music can only be reinterpreted and rewritten just so many times… Check out tunes like "Don't Say Motherfucker, Motherfucker," "The Midnight NAMBLA," "Rendezvous With Anus," (that's right), and… "Rock Against Ass." Just for the lyrics alone, which unfortunately aren't provided and you'll have to clear the cobwebs a might to pick 'em up, it's worth checking this out. How about "Hobbit Motherfuckers" and "Good Head" to cap things off? It is indeed sad to learn of the band's demise-obviously old news to many, but at least they've left enough of a legacy behind for the rest of us sanity starved crazies running around searching for the meaning of our petty existence… and with that I bid you "Darkness Forever," motherfucker! Released by Bitz Core Records Review by Vinnie Apicella
[va85@columbia.edu] |