Review

Arson Anthem - Arson Anthem

11.04.2008 | Cam | 0 Comments

Genre: Hardcore/Punk
For Fans Of:
Favourite Songs: Doomed Morale, Bunker Life, Sri Lankan Medication
Running Time: 11:00
Year: 2008
Website Link: http://www.thehousecorerecords.com
Myspace Link: http://www.myspace.com/arsonanthem

Score: 80

Abrasive debut EP from punk super group featuring members of Pantera, Supejoint Ritual & Eyehategod.

REVIEW.

I've always been sceptical of Phil Anselmo's claims that his newest project(of which there are many) is going to take essence of punk, metal, groove, sludge, stoner and anything else the dude claims to have invented and roll them into the ultimate kick in the face. Where Superjoint Ritual came off as a pale derivative of Pantera inspired southern sludge-metal, Arson Anthem completely pulverizes. This is mostly due to the fact that Arson Anthem is, without a doubt, the ultimate kick in the face, in an audible form at least.

Looking at the personnel for this project, it’s not hard to understand the above statement. Anyone with the slightest interest in the Nola scene will know that vocalist Mike Williams (Eyehategod) has quite a bit to be pissed about. After being arrested on drugs charges after fleeing Hurricane Katrina, having his apartment burned down and having to kick his legendary heroin habit cold turkey behind bars, Mike has totally unleashed on this record with the most raucous and confrontation vocal performance I've heard in recent years, making Eyehategod sound like a lullaby. With Hank Williams III(Superjoint Ritual) on drums and Phil shredding away with "riffs" that sound like a 14 year old beginner would churn out in their garage, Arson Anthem lifts its leg on musicianship and pisses on the popular standard that has been set for the dead scene that is hardcore punk. Oh and they have a bass player too, Colin Yeo, who I can’t seem to find any information on.

Moving on, Arson Anthem calls on the prototypical hardcore punk of early 80's for influence, paying homage to bands such as Hellhammer, Discharge, Heresy and the like to completely pummel the senses. Dropping 8 tracks in 11 minutes flat, this disc is over before you know it and fans of the genre or previous effort by the individuals involved are sure to eat up this collection of grimy, filth encrusted aggro-punk tunes. There even a funky southern boogie towards the end of "The Avoider" which is stark in its contrast to the D-beat fury of "Doomed Morale" and "Bunker Life".

There is a flipside to this however, as fans of the polished approach taken by 90's metal giants Pantera or even Superjoint Ritual may totally misunderstand the raw and downright crappy production of this EP. Being a fan of old school black metal, the below demo quality doesn’t bother me but I can see how this would detract fans of more conventional, modern hardcore punk and metal.

CONCLUSION.

Fans of Pantera or even Down need not apply here as this record represents the side of Phil and his Nola pals that reflects the harshness of their surroundings and turbulence of their lives in and around New Orleans both post and pre the Katrina disaster. Oh yeah, it’s a corking punk record too albeit a short one.