This disc is very well produced. Leader Mikhall Myers can scream (and actually sing) with best of ‘em. He is no slouch in the lyric department either and has been considerate enough to let us know which songs have “explicit” lyrics in case tha kids enter the room. His guitar solos (along with Ernie Carletti) have plenty of shred, but enough thematic melody to keep me interested. Every note has a purpose whether it’s fast or not so fast. Bassist Tom Zong really complements the guitar and thunders under the din of the Marshall stacks. Drummer Steve Salter pounds and rounds out this “quartet of bruisers”. If any of these guys former acts (DESTROYER, SIC VIKKI, CARLETTIS WAY, and NAUGHTY/NAUGHTY) set the barometer for classic cock-rock anywhere close to this, then I cop to my ignorance with utter shame. Someone needs to educate me quickly. Chop, chop! I may not have hated post TWISTED SISTER/RATT 80s hair metal so much if it were not for hardcore punk or if more of the those spandex-clad commandos sounded even half as good as this.

Strong points are “War Machine” (totally badass – slightly in the FIGHT/HALFORD vein), “Scream” (the guy can do just that), “Swine” (fast and furious), “Silhouette” (chock full of bizarre lyrics and an odd experimental breakdown) “Westbound Train” (great slidework, great use of the phaser pedal, great song), “Skies”, etc. Weak points are “High On You” which reminds me of late ‘80s MÖTLEY CRÜE and the power ballad “September”. Since this type of music appears to have less commercial prospects these days, a power ballad seems kind of useless at this juncture. That said, there are far worse power ballads than this, and I have to admit Mikhall’s voice lends itself well to this style. Hard to complain about two so-so tracks on a ballz out 15-song album and I also should mention that Mikhall “I’ll be a sexy corpse for intercourse” Myers dons duds that would make various members of the black metal contingent among us quite envious. Since I live in South Florida, I will probably never get to treat myself to these guys live (that is unless someone with major clout does their job – you can start by getting them on tour with THE DARKNESS). These guys rawk the top of the heap of the Butt Rock Battalion! Rock on Beavis!

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.slikhelvetika.com

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Swine

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