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BERRY | 2007-06-21 >>>
 MALIGNANT
TUMOUR "R´N´R Engine" | GURKHA "Drinking From The Skulls
Of Dead Gods"
split
LP (2006 Insane Society Records)
Split LP non plus ultra
The split EP and split LP
formats can be divided into two categories when it comes to the sleeve.
The first one might be called "strict" meaning each band has its own
front cover on each side. The second alternative is more friendly and
suggests there's something between the bands beyond the shared style
of music - the title page is shared, the same motive hosts both logos,
and the record title is usually also one for both bands. Last year's
split LP Malignant Tumour / Gurkha is something in between! The
elaborate sleeve made the release something special. Each band comes
with their own motive that's folded in the middle, so the title page
consists of two halves that graphically correspond. Laminated full
colour sleeve done this way deserves praise before even putting the
record on the turntable.
If we play any of the bands, there is little trace of originality,
still, it's highly enjoyable! Let's check the Ostrava based Malignant
Tumour first. The band passed the rotting topics in the first phase as
well as the social criticism in the second one. Malignant Tumour are
still around (having the same totally ugly logo that has become nice
after all these years) now in their third stage, addressing the very
core of rock´n´roll - no more Carcass nor Agathocles, simply Motörhead!
Five own tracks (and Gurkha cover) go at machine speed with fast
simple and catchy track, sometimes with ad absurdum chorus lines ("Saddam
Hussain Is Rock´n roll"). Utter Motörhead, that's number three "The
Biggest Band", the rest is an old school metal with crust feelings.
This combination of styles somehow sounds automatically enjoyable,
which is the primary goal of the band. And they can do it!
British Gurkha joined the tour in the UK. That's where the friendship
and this split came from. Gurkha is more straightforward in their
sound, tougher and also more melodic, although the riffs have also
been strongly inspired (not counting two covers, one of which is
addressed back to Malignant Tumour). Crusty metal punk is not original
but offers fine listening. In this respect both bands are alike.
Santa brought 666 copies of the record including 66 limited edition
with a DVD. This goes only to the chosen ones and we, the reviewers,
have to make do with our impressions of the regular release. If you
are up for it, go get it at Insane Society! |
