If you are a fan of music that is short and to the point, have I got a release for you. This here split between Exhumed and Iron Reagan has 8 songs and clocks in right around 12 minutes total. I can't say that it's short and sweet, because if you know either or both of these bands, you know there is nothing sweet about them.
We start off with 4 tracks from Exhumed. If you are not familiar with this band, you should get nice and cozy with them, especially if you like you some old school death metal. They start off with “Gravewalker”, which for a minute has a riff that reminds of Deep Purple's “Speed King”. Lest you think I'm off my rocker, there are those who consider “In Rock” to be the first speed/thrash metal album ever, so that isn't too far off base. By the time the song gets to the guitar solo, though, there is no doubt that this is some crusty old death metal. They follow on with “Dead To The World”, another blast of death from the crypts, and then “Seeing Red” and “Ready To Fight”, a couple of shorter bits that hit just as hard. Nothing really new, nothing really forward thinking from this band, but this re-formed lineup still brings the death. And death is good.
Iron Reagan, besides being a great name, is a hell of a band. This is a side project of members from Municipal Waste and Darkest Hour. They play a brand of punk/hardcore crossover that would probably work if you like DRI or other bands of that ilk. These songs are blasts of sonic goodness that seem to be over way to soon. “Life Beater”, “Gave Up On Giving A Fuck”, “Mini Lights”, and “Holy Water Makes Me Wet” are the 4 tasty treats served up on this side of the split. Again, nothing that is going to change music as we know it, just good solid music that makes you want to get out on the dance floor and mosh a little. Just don't do any of that ridiculous hardcore dancing. If people only knew how stupid that looks, they would just stop. At least that's my hope.
This is great music to watch hockey to, just turn down the TV and let this stuff roar. The only problem is that the album is so short you'd be able to listen to it probably 10 times during a game. Actually, that's not a problem at all. Although you might find that you've thrown all your furniture around the room and kicked the cat out the window if you listen too many times in a row.
- ODIN
Comments