| I Reviews |
| Impaler - Undead Things [cd] Self-released 1996 Attention all you sci-fi and horror movie buffs: This album is for you. To begin with, there are some of the greatest snippets from horror movies that have ever been recorded between each song. Another great reason to check this out is that it seems to be the perfect blend of metal and punk. Most of the songs could probably be used as theme songs for the aforementioned movie genres. They even manage to do a good cover of the best movie theme song of all time, the Ramones 'Pet Sematary'. All in all, this is an album to be enjoyed. ©1996 Christine 'Krusty' Ullrich |
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| Impaler - Meatwagon [css] Vlad Productions 1997 Three new songs from Impaler assault your ears with a force unheard since the late seventies. Audio horror flicks that only take a few minutes of your time yet are as great as a movie. This is a band that has yet to fall into the trap of all their songs sounding like the others. This is a must for any fan of metal flavored punk with a love of the dead. ©1997 Christine 'Krusty' Ullrich |
| The Independents - In for The Kill [cd] Rockduster Records 1995 One part Elvis, two parts surf, one part Ramones, a smidgen of Danzig, and a whole lot of ska. Shake for a while and you have one of the most exciting and original sounds ever. It's not often that a group can combine so many different styles and come up with something that works. The Independents have done just that and succeeded in a really big way. One thing that helps make this album so great is that no two songs sound the same. The vocals sound like the son of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Glen Danzig, giving them a very eerie feel. Another thing this band has done to add variety to the album is put some great sound bites between the songs. They are fun to listen to, but in no way take the attention away from the music. Another plus is the presence of a special guest lead vocalist, CJ (Ramone) Ward of Los Gusanos, on 'Love Sucks'. Just be sure not to miss the bonus track of Elvis' 'Can't Help Falling In Love', on which CJ also helps. But, don't let these two songs be the only reason you seek this out, they are no better than the rest, no worse, but no better. Although this album can be difficult to find (I spent six months looking for it) it is far beyond worthy of the search. ©1995 Christine 'Krusty' Ullrich |
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| The Independents - Stalker [10" picture disc / cd ep] Elevator Music 1997 If I thought 'In For The Kill' (Rockduster Records) was great, then this has to be beyond awesome!!! 'Stalker' blows the last album so far out of the water, it isn't even funny. The lyrics seem to have much more of a horror feel to them, even if Evil seems to have fallen in love sometime between the two albums. I mean, we go from 'Love Sucks' on the first album to 'You Mean The World To Me' on this one. Evil has one of the most extraordinary voices my ears have ever had the pleasure of being caressed by. Throughout these six songs (eight on the cd) you could almost swear that there are about fifteen to twenty singers including Elvis Presley, Glen Danzig, and Alice Cooper, but there is only one. I know I have said a lot about the vocals, but let's not forget about the music itself. While there is still a very strong ska base, this album has a lot more rock to it. As far as I'm concerned, anyone that can blend ska with rock and punk has got to be one hell of a musician. These guys do it so well; you could almost believe there is some sort of intervention. With over 1500 albums in my apartment, you would think I could find something to compare this to. Guess what, there is nothing like it. I got this on Monday, it is now Sunday and the only time it has left the cd player is when I took it out to take it to work and put it in the one in my office. I am willing to bet I've heard these songs more than they've actually played them. If you are looking for something totally unique and completely mind blowing - go get this NOW!!!!! ©1997 Christine 'Krusty' Ullrich |
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| The Independents - Eternal Bond cd Suki Records Finally, after several long years, the ghouls from the southern swampland have released fourteen new tracks. 'Eternal Bond' is an uncategorizable aural assault like no other. Describing the sound of The Independents is nearly impossible. I can tell you that you will hear some ska, some punk, some rock and roll, and even a little country. I cannot tell you which combination of the afore mentioned styles you will get at any given moment. This album can be a bit darker at times than their earlier releases, especially lyrically. But, don't let that to scare you off, this is better than the rest. They take you to the depths of places you probably don't want to be with songs like 'Hideaway' (my personal favorite) and 'Alone'. But, don't fret; they bring you back to the land of the living with 'Baby Doll'. Willy B. has a way with a guitar like no other. To be able to play so many different styles within one song… he just makes it seem so natural. The sound emanates from his as though it has been flowing through his bloodstream since birth. Evil's voice… What can I say about Evil's voice? It is one of the most mesmerizing and expressive voices that I have ever heard. The emotion coming from his soul could easily reach out from the speakers and pluck your still beating heart from its cavity deep in your chest. The softness of his voice on 'Lullaby' is enough to bring you to tears. The pain in 'Hideaway' will make you cringe with that same pain. You feel the heartache of loves lost in 'True' and 'White Feathers'. Evil Presly and Willy B. truly are The Independents. The emotion and soul that oozes from the pores of them are what make 'Eternal Bond' the album that it is. The darkness and tenderness are blended so as to envelope you and carry you to new places. I am guessing that after just one listen, you will go willingly. ©2006 Christine 'Krusty' Ullrich |
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