This song has it all: Slayeresque evil half-steps, hardcore group choruses, death metal roar, melodic hardcore verses, galloping thrash, & scowling breakdowns.
After jaw-dropping work by Dog Fashion Disco/Polkadot Cadaver, Jim Thirlwells’ Foetus projects, and Tod A.’s Cop Shoot Cop/Firewater, this is rudimentary.
Randy Newman’s bouncy piano work and raspy, optimistic female vocals feel like the first sip of coffee in the morning or a cool breeze coming across the park.
The sound is ’70s enough, the vocal snarl is acceptable, and the sing-song “no more pencils” is delightful, but there’s really nothing new brought to the song.
The double-bass is too far forward, the guitars are an afterthought, and the horror strings don’t take the moonlight until three minutes into this snoozer.