Ah, yes, we’re back in Punk Rock’s dirty backyard. And this, just after the RMR review desk finally finished with that infamous Bokassa riot. A record rich in velocity and missing pieces.
So, here, the Montreal / Toronto punk rock scene got back onto our radar. And that’s a good thing, the RMR crew usually gets a kick out of its rowdy feistiness. Black Absinthe, the ambassadors of this formerly forbidden fairy drink that comes in at 85% alcohol,1 are again on the prowl. Since their short blurb Early Signs of Denial, the band didn’t produce much apart from a few singles. But now the band’s back and they packed some serious meat onto their newest piece On Earth or In Hell. And they do this at a crisp and aggressive pace in a cocksure manner of a band comfortable in their capabilities.
The record’s endowed with a ferocious energy and Black Absinthe forge forward with a seethingly black and fiery rage that seems to consume the band members. And right from the start, the record pushes this mix of harsh and slightly progressive Thrash and Heavy Metal, rooted in heavy-handed Punk Rock. All of that garnished with grim messaging about all sorts of social injustices and drink-related issues.
Fancy a couple of examples? The RMR crew got a kick out of the piece about Jean Lanfray, the man who killed his family in a – allegedly – absinthe-induced delirious rage2 in Switzerland back in the early last century. A deed that not only led to his suicide but also to the global ban on absinthe that remained in place for many decades. On Earth or In Hell – the title track – impressed us with its brutal outrage about Canadian historical atrocities commemorated every 30th of September. It is thus a pity that the songsmithing errs on the simplistic side with an ever-returning riff that started to irk us after a while. The music’s just trimmings on this one.
And sure enough, On Earth or In Hell tells stories in an abundant surge of angry lyrics. You won’t find much rhyme in here – only brutal accusations of wrongdoing by whatever subject is on the chopping block. Delivered by gritty riffs, heavy scratchy solos, and Jack Cerre‘s merciless hollers and grimy croak. There’s not much melodic or ornamental material on this record either. A trait somewhat reminiscent of the folks over at Gojira.
Yet, the endless vexation and wrath screamed at the world somehow smothers the simple yet pretty savvy songsmithing and musical prowess on most of the record. Also, Cerre‘s monotonous snarls, barks, and shouts – much like Duplantier over at the aforementioned Gojira – started to wear on us after a while. It’s a bit like those proverbial fingernails on the blackboard. You can only take so much until sensory overload sets in. And this makes it difficult to get into the piece. Unless your aim is bellowing your outrage out with the lyrics provided by the band, that is. Yet another riot in the making.
Ultimately though, On Earth or In Hell is a good record. Rage and fury are part and parcel of punk culture and Black Absinthe are killing it here. This band truly takes no prisoners with their style and delivery. They’ll continue to loudly spit their venom at you, want it or not. And that will make for rowdy concerts in steamy music halls. Rough-hewn, thrashy rock and metal that won’t let you get a breath of relief. All of that delivered with punk’s merciless iron fist all along its short 35 minutes of airtime.
But what else did we expect, right?
Record Rating: 6/10 | Label: Self-Released | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 27 March 2024