Rough Edge: Stormtroopers of Death CD Reviews

STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH

"Rise of the Infidels" (Megaforce; 2007)

Reviewed by Metal Mark

This release features four studio tracks (two are covers) and an entire live set recorded in Seattle. I liked the band's "Speak English or Die" when I first heard it twenty-some years ago, but it was basically a joke album overall. Like many jokes it’s funny for awhile, but it loses some punch the more you hear it.

That’s the way I feel about S.O.D. and singer Billy Milano. Milano has made a music career by making fun of everything under the sun and setting it to generic speed metal. The studio tracks presented here are adequate but nothing you haven't heard before. The live set features many tracks based on the format of “The Ballad of Jimi Hendrix” as well as other tracks from “Speak English or Die” and the band’s later efforts. The sound is decent for a live recording with Charlie Benante’s drums sounding particularly sharp.

Part of me wants to dismiss this as a side project. Yet part of me was still interested in hearing songs like “United Forces” and “Freddy Krueger.” It was almost like I was sixteen again and really getting into these basic, but oddly appealing, songs. Ultimately you have to be a very hardcore fan to want this because, if you already own the first album, then you have their best material.

For more information, check out http://www.sgt-d.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.

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