Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | This debut album from Commando is amazing. Most of the instros have some narration. All are dark and very intense. Imagine a mixture of the magic of Planet Seven and the rhythmic nature of Man or Astro-Man. Very cool! Vocals on this 12 inch album include an intense version of Man or Astro-Man?'s "9 Volt," a wonderfully thick and evil version of the Yardbirds' "For Your Love," a rhythmic and oddly evil rendering of Mike Palm's "Bloodstains," and the whammified come-on of "Natural Born Halbstark Jetzt Vorbestellen." |
Picks: Irene S., A6, Libertine, Black Crack, C#C, Marabunta, Lost Boy
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Right from the first warble and dark guitar riff, you know this is going to rock. Like a cross between Planet Seven and Man or Astro-Man?, "Irene S." uses rhythmic textures, electronics, and surf guitar to paint a picture of future shockwaves. Hypnotic and thick!
Surf (Instrumental)
About a runaway train, "A6" is electro-noisy and rhythmically pulsing, with surf guitar and heavy thrash and crash. Some narrative lines tell the tale. Not for the faint of heart!
Heavy Sci-fi Surf (Instrumental)
The introductory riff to "Libertine" is Middle Eastern, while the song is intensely stinging. Some narration, but overall, it's like a heavy does of Link Wray psychedelicized and weirded out. It surely grows on you.
Surf (Instrumental)
Intense whammy and a darkly attractive melody run above relentless bass and drums. Dangerous electronics and hypnotic moodiness. The narrative is just as dark as the music.
Surf (Instrumental)
"C#C" is a dangerously dark song with an intense mood and forbidding thickness, yet it also has a melodic sense about it that's inviting in a can't look away from the horror kind of way.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Anacondas' gruff "Marabunta" is a perfect fit for Commando, with it's darkness being easily adapted to the band's sound. Heavy and relentless.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Lost Boy" may be the most futurist piece here. There's more dementia and twisted darkness than all the others, and the melody is like a Middle Eastern slaughter over amazingly addictive tribal drums. A great track that rivals the Astroglides for evil, but is slower and more dramatically moody.