Published on Jul 10, 2003
Innuendo. It can be a dangerous thing if not applied properly.
Otherwise, it can create a smirk that can stretch for miles.
Considering that Vasteras, Sweden’s Psychopunch were brazen enough
to tag their debut album with a title of questionable length –
We are Just as Welcome as the Holy Water in Satan’s Drink,
one might subsequently discount the message delivered as just
another rock band getting caught up in image over musicianship.
In the mid-to-late 90’s, it’s been apparent that multitudes of
Scandinavian bands have been able to cultivate the same power chord
tree found “down under” that AC/DC discovered decades earlier.
Psychopunch are no exception. Credit should be given for the fact
that they attempt to amuse with their album title given the
circumstances of such a crowded stable.
The only thing that keeps me from actually believing that
Psychopunch are nothing more than an AC/DC clone (hey, the first
track on the album is titled “Down in Flames”!), is the
Motorhead-like quickness that they blitzkrieg their way through the
first few songs on this release. Truthfully, “Down in Flames” pays
more than sufficient homage to the AC/DC, “Highway to Hell” era.
The sing-a-long choruses from the lead vocalist that goes by the
name of JM, are backed with an inspiringly quick tempo’ed beat.
It’s dirty, it’s catchy, and it’s anthemic. Hell, I’ll just say it.
It’s fun!
By this point, it’s conceivable that you’re hoarse in the throat
and surely ready for more. The following tracks, “Straightjacket
Hell”, and “Goin’ Crazy” keep pace with “Down in Flames” and are
equally as captivating. The vocals are raw but the band stays in
check and remains reigned in just enough to not allow the songs to
come off as sloppy.
“Good for Nothing at All” provides the segue point of the album
from the frenetic to mid tempo which is where the next couple of
songs head. At this point I’m not so sure Satan should be worried
in what manner his drink is being spiked. Vocalists that come
across as having more than a pack a day habit shouldn’t be tasked
with the duty of attempting to sing ballads. “Stranded (for Holly
Ramone)” is a song that probably necessitates sap, but I have not
the inclination to determine what the band’s inspiration with Ms.
Ramone might be.
The pace of the album picks up again but the electric charge of
the first three tracks has been channeled elsewhere. Do I call the
remaining songs filler? Well, that might be too aggressive of a
claim but they come off as little more than memorable when compared
to the first few songs described above.
For a debut album,
We are Just as Welcome as the Holy Water in Satan’s Drink
shows plenty of promise early on but lacks the consistency from top
to bottom to make one want to hear anything but the first four
songs. It’s a promising start but if you’re listening, Satan, you
have little to fear. A little shucking and jiving through this
release and you should be in the clear.