Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Estrume'n'tal - encontra O E.T. de Varginha
 | Loud, strong, aggressive, and melodic, underpinned by punk and immense energy. This is a draft copy of the next release from Estrume'n'tal. Look for it in release early in '03. |
Picks: Czardas, Marcha Funebre, El Salvador, Hotel Lanolino, Batman, Chicote, Et De Varginha, Mente Satisfeito, Ace Of Spades, Tejano, Scooter Joe, Roscoe Monstertruck, Hide And Scatter, Little Linda, Gin Com Bells, Untitled
Track by Track Review
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
Heavy fuzz thunder drives "Czardas," a song with a melody that carries the stamp of Italian Mafia movies and James Bond. Loud and aggressive, with some nasty guitar work.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
Stormy weather and tolling church bells yield to a violent assault based on the same danger lurking funeral march employed by the Phantom Surfers in "Dead West," only here it's thick and awe inspiring, with phased fuzz and intense loudness. "Marcha Funebre" is a masterpiece of conversion of a classic theme.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
Dark thrash-riff angst trashes the silence. Billy Childish's trashy "El Salvador" is thick and thunderous, with no mercy shown the timid.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
A long slowly rising sound effects intro eventually arrives at a thick and intensely whammied monster. Link Wray' melody is an excellent vehicle for Estrume'n'tal, with their wall of abrasion sound.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
Link Wray's dark arrangement of Neil Hefty's TV theme is simply loud and mean, with occasional howling feedback.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
The Frantics' "Straight Flush" is reinvented un der the title "Chicote." The guitar carries off the sax lines to amazing effect. Strong and aggressive, with a soaring solo.
Thick Intense Surf (Instrumental)
Very thick intense distortion guitars, compressed and powerful over tribal tom toms and a solid surf beat. Mighty big, with thunder and power whine guitars. A buzz saw would be less intense. More riff than melody, but what power!
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
While played with the same Marshall loudness, "Mente Satisfeito" flows with a liquid, almost European melody line.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
Link Wray's often covered "Ace Of Spades" has become a garage anthem. Its long sustain nasty chords seem to call to the primitive set. A raw, rough edged track.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
"Tejano" is an Estrume'n'tal original in a punked up Mexican folk style. Blistering edge and compression, pinata shouts and thick assaulting sound embraces the "Bonanza" verse used as a break.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
On the moody side, "Scooter Joe" is a little disjointed and gruff. Its raw edge is offset by its filmy melody line.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
Trash and punk riff rockin' loudness at eleven power chord thrash... nuff said.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
Big drama accompanies Billy Childish's garage riff. Big chords and tribal drums.
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
"Little Linda" is a classic Mexican folk song, first brought to surf by the Rancheros. In this punkoidal power arrangement, it takes on a whole new concept. It was great the first time I played it, and it grew from there. Totally cool!
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
"Gin Com Bells" a.k.a. "Jingle Bells" makes Christmas seem like a good time for Santa to bring new trucks for your skateboard. Thick and oh-so punkoidal. The middle break is stunningly dissonant!
Fuzz Surfpunk (Instrumental)
Out past the end of track 15 is a loud and powerful song that demands attention. I didn't recognize the melody, but it rocks its little socks off with intensity and charm.