With the new Chemistry Of Consciousness (Relapse), frontman Joel Grind expands the Toxic Holocaust sound, explodes it with color and textures that seem more vibrant than the none-more-blackness of 2011’s Conjure And Command. The speed and righteous indignation of artists like Discharge and G.B.H. combine with the massive mixdown and mastering by heavy-music maven and Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou, creating a juggernaut of an album, a record that fires on all cylinders all the time. “Awaken The Serpent,” “Mkultra” and “Out Of The Fire” smack the listener upside the head like the wayward boot of an especially surly crowd surfer. Bassist Phil Zeller will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our recent Toxic Holocaust feature.
Zeller: Yes! I get to throw you a curveball with this one! Although I would not proclaim this to be one of my all-time fave bands or records, it is still a fave among our band nonetheless. This is true for one huge characteristic: fun. In the midst of one of many long van rides on tour, a lot of music gets listened to, and it’s not always the metal and punk classics you would expect. After weeks on end of beer drinking and lack of sleep, you can find yourself pretty drained on those long travel days. This record is one that comes on and becomes an immediate pick-me-up. The high-energy fat-punk sound and snotty vocals with tongue-in-cheek, funny lyrics just gets the smiles coming and the heart pumping. No rocket science here, although I do find NOFX to rip quite hard. Songs like “Showerdays” and “The Moron Brothers” have an infectious way of snapping me out of a funk (along with copious amounts of coffee). A ray of California sun on a dreary day. Recommended listening time: after your second or third gigantic cup of coffee.
Video after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qku06fmLjXE
