Philip H. Anselmo/ Warbeast – “War of the Gargantuas” EP
I know nothing about music. No, seriously: I have no clue what this stuff is all about. I know this Anselmo guy was in a metallic band: one of those which must have done something cool back in the 1990s (no, not in the noughties, as far as someone has told me) because nowadays he is allowed to make music in many bands and he even produces many others. This ‘album’ is only 18 minutes long and this is great because it’s filled with noises of all sorts, but it works because I really like it and it gives me the kind of adrenaline boosts I need when I feel exhausted. This is basically an album where Mr Anselmo and a band he put together for the occasion (Philip H. Anselmo & the Illegals) play the first and the third song, while another musical group called Warbeast play the even numbers.
Let us start with describing the pieces sang and operated by Philip H. Anselmo & the Illegals, shall we? Right. The utter violence deployed by the combo brings back good memories that must be somehow comparable to the guy’s main act from over 15 years ago. One can almost feel the joy and the pain he himself feels when he blasts the microphone, and as someone told me: “these two tracks are as close as Mr. Anselmo can get to Pantera’s The Great Southern Trendkill without being sued.” Which, fair enough, sounds like a proper compliment because that album seems to be the last, real release from that ensemble I just mentioned, since nobody seems to care about the record that came after that. [Wait, The Great Southern Trendkill wasn’t Pantera’s last record? – AMG]
So, let’s say these two tracks (“Conflict” and “Family, “Friends, and Associates”) are bloody good and nobody will be offended. They are nothing extraordinary though, it’s all stuff that’s been done before, but that begs the question: how well have people been playing this stuff in the last decade? I mean, if I’m jumping up and down on my rocking chair in 2013, well, that means that these songs are at least somewhat special. Nothing new, but special and a bit headstrong: which is good for my blood pressure. In conclusion: let yourself go with the scary spoken words on “Family, “Friends,” and Associates” and the screams Mr. Anselmo delivers on “Conflict” because you can’t be wrong. Oh and these songs will not be on his forthcoming album. He says the record will be less straightforward and right now I’m very curious and I’m sure you cannot wait either.
Warbeast now. Whoa! Surely, playing your compositions on the same album as such a legend’s first solo pieces since he was born must be tough. But these guys from Texas sure know a thing or two about rock and/or roll. They started in 2006 as Texas Metal Alliance (OK, I got this bit off their Zuckerbook page, I have to admit) and only changed their name to the even cheesier Warbeast in 2009. I like their music because it’s quick: relentlessly quick! My neighbour said they reminded him a bit of the 1980s. He added that lots of bands (and he mentioned a few names I’ve written down – hope I got them right: Warbringer, Municipal Waste and an older band named Exhorder) sound or have sounded similar to them. I have no clue but, hey, who am I to judge!
All in all a great extended play that leaves you wanting for more. I was personally impressed by Mr. Anselmo’s performance because, blimey, [Crikey! – AMG] the guy’s 44 and he can sing like a proper renegade. I’ll make sure to check out his solo release when it’s out. In the meantime, I’ll play this album over and over again, getting ready for a sing-along that will never really happen. [Editor’s Note: We have another contestant for Worst Album Cover… EVA!].