IMPALER:
Cryptozoology: CD
I will never understand why more people are not absolutely insane about this band. Since the early ‘80s, they’ve been delivering their own sinister blend of shock rock, combining ‘70s punk and ‘70s metal with single-minded dedication. I’ll admit that I didn’t really know much about them until a few years ago—when I moved to their homeland of Minnesota and went to one of their shows—which turned into the most insane rock’n’roll brawl I’ve ever seen. When I see a band that makes insane music back it up with real life insanity, I’m in for keeps. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that their music is consistently awesome, and this new album is one of their best. It’s a concept album about cryptids, featuring songs about chupacabras, Jersey devils, and the like. There’s even a trilogy of Bigfoot songs. The message here is clear: These beasts are not cute and friendly. They’re fucking monsters, and the songs sound absolutely vicious; the way songs about monsters should sound. –MP Johnson (MVD)