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