Album Review: Danizig – Deth Red Sabaoth
June 4, 2010 by Editor
Filed under 2010 Releases, Album Reviews
Danizig
Deth Red Sabaoth
Release Date: June 22, 2010
Record Label: Evilive/The End Records
Review:
It’s never a good sign when I have to ask the publicist if the review copy they sent me is the final mix. They rarely send a rough-cut. And so began my utter disappointment with the new Danzig album, Deth Red Sabaoth. The disappointment is compounded by the knowledge that it could have been a great album, but falls flat.
Tunes I really dig include “Black Candy”, which is dark, disturbing, and will stay in your head for a while. “On a Wicked Night” has a crisp acoustic intro, then really ignites half-way through. “Ju Ju Bone” is a strong bluesy-rock tune and I can’t help but wonder if it’s penned about a penis with supernatural powers. The powerful track “Left Hand Rise Above” closes the album in a very fulfilling manner.
The song-writing on this album is impressive. Glenn Danzig states “I’ve been told several times that the album has a cool vitality to it, it sounds energized.” The songs really do convey a sense that the Danzig sound is revitalized, and also have potential to be some of his best work to-date. The problem is that most of the energy is lost in a murky and unfocused production.
The opening track, “Hammer of the Gods,” has a great riff and scorching guitar solo, but the guitar mix is chaotic and the vocals are a mess. It ends up sounding like a $300 garage band demo. “The Revengeful” showcases awesome guitar sounds, but the chorus vocals are a bit sloppy and the guitar solo is buried in the mix. The drums in “Rebel Spirits” will knock you on your ass, but the vocals disappear. “Deth Red Moon” is mixed as poorly as the first track and Danzig struggles to stay in key. “Pyre of Souls: Seasons of Pain” has all the writing and performance elements to be a great tune, but the mix is an intolerable 7-plus minute torture.
This could have been a great album. Danzig’s production down-slide probably started with Circle of Snakes, but the songs on Deth Red Sabaoth are so much better. Better songs, sloppy production, the disappointment is complete. Think I’ll go crank up “Am I Demon” to get over it.
Track Listing:
- “Hammer of the Gods”
- “The Revengeful”
- “Rebel Spirits”
- “Black Candy”
- “On a Wicked Night”
- “Deth Red Moon”
- “Ju Ju Bone”
- “Night Star Hell”
- “Pyre of Souls: Incanticle”
- “Pyre of Souls: Seasons of Pain”
- “Left Hand Rise Above”
Purchase:
Links:
www.danzig-verotik.com
