FLAMETHROWER
"Flamethrower"
(Dead Teenager Records; 2003)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Flamethrower" are an incendiary combination of thrash metal and punk rock. The songs from their self-titled CD explode from your stereo with a raging, speedy force like that of the mighty Motorhead and with a raw, raunchy punch like that of the legendary Sex Pistols.
There are sixteen songs on the 33:07 minute CD which gives you an idea at how fast they zip by. Guitars are the driving force here, with the rhythms guitars roaring like angry tigers and the bass and drums throbbing like a speed junkie's heartbeat. Vocalist/lead guitarist (yes, there are leads with Flamethrower) Brian High alternates his voice between bleeding throat punk rock and gravelly, broken-glass-for-breakfast metal growls. (But, thankfully, never achieves "cookie monster" level).
"Drowning & Empty" is the one of the highlights here, with its driving, chunky rhythm and High sounding more like Lemmy than on any other track. And you've got to love "Coked Up," a song that's done before it seems to even get started and with simple lyrics that make their point while taking up maybe one line on the liner notes.
Flamethrower is pure, unadulterated, 100% raunch'n'roll. If you're looking for something to bang your head furiously to, especially while driving around in your 1969 Charger, this is the music you're looking for.
Flamethrower: Brian High - vocals, lead guitar; Chico King - backup vocals, rhythm guitar; Yager - backup vocals, bass guitar; Tony Rodriguez - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.flamethrower666.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2003 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 26 Feb 2024 13:06:29 -0500.
