Music Review#5-Total Abuse-Prison Sweat

Total Abuse. Just saying you've heard of the band means you're troubled. TA is definitely one of Hardcore Punk's most vile outfits (in a good way).
Total Abuse is a Hardcore/Noise band from Austin, Texas and they're really unique. One minute they're playing as fast as Minor Threat and the next they're playing Flipper-style dirge Punk and the next minute they're playing Noise in the vein of Whitehouse. This album is called Prison Sweat and it's their third (final?) full-length effort. So let's dive in into the demented world of Total Abuse!

1. Final Passage-This is the only instrumental track of the album. It is pure Harsh Noise and drags on for a painful seven minutes. It starts of quiet and then you hear screeching guitar feedback. Then it gets real quiet then its gets noisy again and I swear it's louder! Great tune to scare off your loved ones!

2. Early Morning-The feedback then blasts into an actual song! It sounds like a fucked up version of Void and the speed of sounds like it too. Then it slows down and sounds extremely messed up sounding. I believe the song is about having sex and not enjoying a single minute of it.

3. Rotting (Tin) Foil-Things slow down a bit as we crawl on our bellies in agony. The meaning is more clear on this song as it is about being ripped off by a drug dealer. It's really cool sounding and the chorus is catchy as hell!

4. Masked Killer-This song starts off with really fucked up sounding riff. The bridge is real cool and it keeps the song afloat. As you can tell it is about a masked killer who wants to kill everyone he despises. It a real badass track and one of my favs of the record. End of side A.

5. Hogg-Things get fast again and hits you harder than an iron fist with brass knuckles. Then it gets mid paced again and sounds like Flipper. The lyrics in this song is about the sorry state of human existance.

6. Hidden Blood-The Flipper-style dirge continutes! The lyrics to this song is kinda confusing but from what I can tell it's about the narrator's father being dead and has really trumatic memories of him. It still a cool song though!

7. Prison Sweat- Things get really slow now! This song sounds more fucked up than Black Flag's "Damaged I"! It goes on for a painful eight minutes. The song is about "living off your filth" and realizes that this is what he wants. Then things get noisy again and after all that, you hear the sound of water dripping. End of side B.

And that's it. This album is extremely demented, lyrically and musically. The only problem I have about this record it that it's not as soild as their other releases such as their "Sex Pig" 7", their eight song demo, their 2008 full-length self-titled debut and their 2010 sophmore album "Mutt". It's still a really good album and it stays in your head for a long time. It's a sick record and it's a good listen when you feel disgusted about everything and everyone. Go out and buy this bitch!

4.5 out of 5.

Music Review #4-Megadeth-Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!

Alright my friends, this is Megadeth's debut album back in 1985. Wait, 1985? A little late for the party don't you think guys? I mean seriously, Metallica and Slayer both debuted their 1st album back in 1983 and Anthrax debuted in 1984. But there's probably a reason why Megadeth arrived late and this is what I think. When Dave Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica in '82 or '83, Dave TOLD them not to use any of his songs he had written. And what do they do? Use his songs! That really burned Mustaine up. Anyway I could go on about Dave's history about leaving Metallica and forming Megadeth but this would be too long of a review. So let's move on shall we? KIMB is Megadeth's debut album and was possibly the fastest American Thrash Metal album at the time. This was way before Slayer started play Mach 5 speeds. But it's probably because Slayer lead guitarist Kerry King played with Megadeth for while, seeing how Mustaine was a MAJOR influnce on King when Dave was in Metallica. Anyway, on to the debut!

1. Last Rites/Loved to Death- Or is it Loved to Deth? Anyway it doesn't matter. The song starts of with a piano playing some classical music piece and then opening riff starts and ho-ly crap what a riff! The song is wild man! Odd time meters and a kick ass solo by Mustiane. This song, according to Dave Mustaine himself, is "Boy meets girl, boy loves girl, girl doesn't love boy, so boy kills girl." Is that creepy or what?

2. Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!- The title track of the album. The song is straight foward, mid-tempo verse, fast chrous. This song is about a hitman who, ironicly, kills the person who hired him.

3. The Skull Beneath the Skin- This song starts with a creepy sounding riff. The song is about the formation of Megadeth's mascot Vic Rattlehead and it's based off of pagan rituals and symbols.

4. Rattlehead- The opening riff on this tune is killer! This song is about the early Thrash Metal fans, particually the early Megadeth fans. This song doesn't let up and it's really neat!

5. Chosen Ones- This one of Megadeth's few humorous songs. The riffs are cool and there's a neat bass solo towards the end. This song is based off the killer rabbit scene of Monty Python's "In Search of the Holy Grail".

6. Looking Down The Cross- This is the slow song off the album but it's still good. Kinda has a meancing tone to it. This song is about Jesus's last moments on the cross but instead of forgiving man, he condemns them to damnation.

7. Mechanix- Dave acutally wrote this song before he joined Metallica but was recorded in Metallica's demo No Life 'Til Leather. After Dave got kicked out, Metallica re-worked it as The Four Horsemen. That song is about the Four horsemen of the apocolyspe. This song is about sex, back when it was cool to sing about that stuff in Thrash. The lyrics however are disguised as fixing a car. It's even faster than the Metallica song.

8. These Boots- Yes folks, this is a cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'". However there is a twist. That song is about footwear. This song is about sex. Dave re-worked the lyrics. However, since I have the 2002 remastered version, the explict lyrics are literally, 'bleeped' out. That's because the person who wrote that song found it to be offensive. That really sucks cause I want to hear what Dave is singing.

Since this is the 2002 remastered version, it comes with bonus tracks. But it's demo, so I'll review that another time. This album is great. It has a lot of energy. The only downside is the bleeps on These Boots. But that doesn't mean that it's a bad album. If you're new to Meegadeth, I wouldn't start here. Maybe Countdown to Extinction.

4.5 out of 5.

Music Review-#3-Slayer-Hell Awaits

Man, it's been a long time since my last review but anyway, I'm back and with a new album to review. This album is by Slayer and it called Hell Awaits. Released in 1985, a year before Thrash Metal hit mainstream consciousness, I consider it the Slayer's best album in Metal Blade. This is actually Slayer's second album, with their first titled Show No Mercy back in '83 also released in Metal Blade. There is a total of 7 tracks in this album but are fairly lengthy. So is it an album worthy enough for you to buy it or does it suck the big one? Read on to find out!

1.Hell Awaits- At first you hear nothing, but wait! Don't turn up the volume just yet! It gradually builds up and your demonic voices saying "Join us" but backwards and then you hear a DEEP, demonic voice saying "Welcome back!!". When I first that, I jumped! Then the song starts and its actually very good. This song is about Satanic forces battling angels.

2. Kill Again- This song is also very cool. Starts off a bit slow but then picks up and the music is awsome. A song about killing people.

3.At Dawn They Sleep- This song is about vampires, y'know, back when they were cool to sing about in Heavy Metal music. This is possibly the slowest song off the album and gets even slower towards the ending. It's only fast for about 45 seconds towards the end. Decent song.

4.Praise of Death- Now this is were things start to pick up again. Starts out with a snare drum and BANG!! The song starts. There is a really neat bass line in the middle. Drives me mad whenever I hear it. This song is about nihilism or something like that.

5. Necrophiliac- Start out with guitar and then the song starts. Really cool song about,well, necrophilia.

6. Crypts of Eternity- Starts off with some tribal riff. It's a little slow but it a cool song. It's about the Devil.

7. Hardening of the Arteries- No, it's not about a heart attack, however, it's about the end of the world. Great song and after the song is done, they play the intro to Hell Awaits.

Well, that was short but then again, it's only 7 tracks. I think this is a really good album, a lot better than their debut. Here this is were Slayer finally abandoned their NWOBHM influenced sound in exchange for pure Thrash Metal (Along with their EP Haunting of the Chapel). Do I recommend it. Yes. This is the most unique Slayer album I've heard so far. Pick it up whenever you get the chance.

4.25 out of 5

Music Review # 2-Evil Army-Self Titled album

Evil Army is a Thrash Metal band from Memphis, Tennessee which is odd considering you don't hear a lot of Metal bands from Tennessee. Anyway, this is their 2006 self titled debut and it is fast, raw, and intense. The cool thing about this band is that there is a Punk edge to them so both the punks and metalheads can get into them. I wouldn't call this Crossover though, think of it as the 2000's version of "Reign In Blood" by Slayer. That album had a Punk vibe too but it's still considered a traditional Thrash album. Anyway, it's time for the review.

1. Edge Of Destruction-This song is a short :40 insturmental. It's really cool and the military-style drumming gives you a feeling that you're a soldier heading to battle.

2. Evil Army-Now this is where things heat up! The riffs are fast and kind of catchy too. This song is about fighting in a war and the chorus is kick ass!

3. Driven To Violence- Another thrashy tune. This song about tired of being pushed around and is vows to enforce violence to whoever pushes him around again.

4. Realm of Death-This song is a bit slower but is still good and is a little longer. This song, I believe, is about going to Hell. Good song and it gives you breathing room from the neck-breaking speeds of the previous tracks.

5. Wrong Approach- This is where it starts to speed things up again. The riffs are cool and the song is pretty catchy. This is about someone who looks at narrator the wrong way and thus the singer beats him up.

6. Sgt. Says Kill- SGT. SAYS...KIIIILLLLLLLLL! Now here is where things speed up again. Catchy fast riffs and a killer bridge section.

7. Conquer Human Life- It was this song that got me into Evil Army and there is a reason why. That's because this song is fantastic! Great riffs and a killer chorus. This song is about the end of the world.

8. Severe Mental Disorder-Speeds up again. Nice lyrics. It's about insanity.

9. Relentless Assault-Starts off slow at the beginning but speeds up by the time the lyrics come up. This is another song about war.

10. Satan Made Me Do It-This is the shortest song off the album (Unless you count the first track, then it isn't). Starts out off fast, slows down a little then speeds up again. This song is about the singer killing his family because Satan told him to do it. Play this at your next family reunion!

11. Scum Of The Earth-Starts off with a cool bass intro then POW!! It hits you. Very fast song. This song is about being fed up with all the crime in the streets. The cops don't do a damn thing so what does he do? Takes matters into his own hands! Based on the 1976 film Taxi Driver.

12. Watch Me Fall-This is another slower song but it is still good. This song is about suicide but trying to resist commiting it, I think. That's how I interpret it.

13. Friday The 13th-Yes folks, he's talking about the movie. The lyrics are a little cheesy but who cares? So were the movies.


Well folks, that was Evil Army's debut album. How does it hold up? Very good actually. It nevers lets up and each song is great. But the problem is, it's too short. Seriously, it's only 25 minutes long and for Metal standards, that's not very long. But who cares? I'd rather hear 25 minutes of all killer than 50 minutes of a mixed bag. It's also pretty expensive. I bought my copy for $22! But if you can get past the price, you have a gem that will never lose it's luster.

4.75 out of 5

Music Review #1- Megadeth Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?

The year in 1986 and the American Thrash Metal movement was in full swing. Bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax were reaching alienated kids just as Hardcore Punk did a few years then. 1986 would be the year the "Big Four" of Thrash would release seminal albums. "Master of Puppets" by Metallica, "Spreading the Disease" by Anthrax, "Reign In Blood" by Slayer, and of course "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?" by Megadeth. Sure it's a classic then, but how does it hold up now?  Read on for my track by track review!

1. Wake Up Dead- What a way to open up and album! Solos all over the place and catchy chords and vocal melody. This song is about Dave Mustaine himself trying to sneak in to his room after cheating on his girlfriend, but his girlfriend is sleeping on his bed! Yikes!

2. The Conjuring- This song has an evil tone to it. Sinister guitar work by Mustaine and Poland. This song is about summoning the Devil's righthand man.

3. Peace Sells- One of Megadeth's best known songs, this song is about the idea of selling peace but no one will actually buy it. It also talks about common misconceptions about the band. It's a tad bit slower than the first two but packs a powerful punch! Love the political lyrics as well.

4. Devil's Island- This song speeds thing up a bit after the last song. This song is about a prisoner about to be executed at a prison.  More cool riffs.

5. Good Mourning/Black Friday- My favorite song off the album. It opens up slow but speed things up and then you're in Thrash heaven. The riff midway during the song is insane! This song is about a mass murderer on a rampage with gory lyrics by Mustaine.

6. Bad Omen- Another song that has a creepy tone. Again, starts slow, but speed up halfway. This song is about a Satanic cult.

7. I Ain't Superstitious- This song is a cover by Willie Nixon, I believe (Could be wrong). This is an old blues song done Thrash Metal style! This song is about superstition being balderdash.

8. My Last Words- This is last song on the album. Nice riffage by Mustaine. This song is about Russian Roulette.

Well that does it. Keep in mind that I have the re-release with bonus tracks (Wake Up Dead, The Conjuring, Peace Sells, and Good Mourning/Black Friday). I won't review them though as they are the same song with minor differences. So is it worth buying? For the most part, yes. The only thing hold the album back from getting a perfect score is the bonus tracks. They're good and all but adding them only makes the album longer than it needs to be. If you have a chance, I would buy the original 1986 version wothout the bonus tracks but it's up to you. Paint the Devil on the wall!

4.25 out of 5