Crystal Methodist – “Crystal Methodist”
I’ve seen Crystal Methodist a few times now. At my home, The Midway.
You may have seen me there and are of the mistaken impression that I frequent that establishment frequently.
In fact, I don’t leave there.
I’ve been there since the last time you saw me there, maybe months ago.
I sleep in the basement, wrapped up in bar rags, my arms wrapped around the water heater. You see, it’s more warmer there.
Meth is a drug that will erase your features, it appears; and Methodist is a rather strict Protestant religion that may erase your personality, I feel.
This band combines both these great things musically, and puts it into action on this CD.
They’re from New Hampshire, not much doing up there, any fun to be had must be made on your own. They’re a young band and for this they must be forgiven, because they have little choice in the matter. Their singer is slight and small but still spits a large wad of venom and spite and aggression.
Crystal Methodist is a hardcore band that borders on the experimental but never steps into the unfortunate dog shit of pretension, but stays true and raw with short songs full of hardcore passion but also feel the freedom and need to step out of constraints to express their vision. To lay down the words and sounds ably with some finesse but with much more passion and guts.
Gee, I wish I could do that. I can’t think of doing anything near-way equivalent but I do feel we should check out some tunes. Are you with me?
A guitar with feedback starts off “What Happened” which leads to chugging guitars, ominous and threatening with a fairly moderate beat. “I didn’t burn these bridges/ they just started to crumble/ We watched them fall away/ Now I’m trapped in rubble.” A young person’s lament of the fucked up world the older generation left them? Thrashing guitars, solid beat only ebbing to let the power and force of the song to be complete. “I don’t know how to fix this.” I’m not sure either but no need to fix this near flawless song.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/04 What Happened.mp3|titles=What Happened]Feed back and a sustained chord leads “Give A Fuck” into a spoken word sample. Then the whole joint explodes with double beat drumming, pulverizing guitars and bass and near hysterical vocals bleating, “I used to dream everyone gave a fuck/ About anything besides themselves/ I know I should/ I wish I could.” The old self-preservation with the natural desire to help. “Why don’t you give a fuck/ Why should I give a fuck?” Not sure I can answer that but I can say I you should give a fuck about this great song.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01 Give a Fuck.mp3|titles=Give a Fuck]“This is a pickle, a mighty pretty pickle, especially when it joins you at the show. We have lots of pretty pickles waiting for you at the refreshment center. They’re plump, tender and mouth watering.” That’s how “Fixed Fight” starts which is a poem I wrote, using metaphors, that the band had their local parish priest recite. After a few stops and starts we’re into a headlong hardcore rush that topples heals over heads upon itself. “I’ll keep walking and grit my teeth/ I’ll put up a fight until I’m six feet deep.” It’s a song that has a punch and keeps on kicking until your knocked into submission with its potent, powerful surge.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/05 Fixed Fight.mp3|titles=Fixed Fight]“What will you do when your youth/ No longer serves as a valid excuse.” Is the question “Best Friends” queries, while my answer is to write about bands while drinking more than ever I don’t think that’s the answer they’re looking for. “Maybe I could’ve helped/ I didn’t know what to do/ Yet I still call you a friend/ But I don’t want to end up like you.” After a faster than the speed of life song, a 1,2,3,4 brings us into a dissonant chord change of sonic splendor that lays waste to this wonderful song.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/06 Best Friends.mp3|titles=Best Friends]Crystal Meth is for losers.
Fanatical religion is also.
But the high from music and faith in your music, the belief that the sacrifices you make- is worth it, is valid, is right in the long run. You can’t lose for a choice that’s not for gain but for what you believe in. I believe.
Crystal Methodist is a band that doesn’t fit in with society’s vision of what a good band should be. But then, I think, I’d hate to fit in what society thinks is a good person and I know, for sure, I don’t fit in with what would be a good reviewer.
But all the gold of life does not reside in what’s chosen for you and presented before your eyes.
Believe me, it’s not the Grammy’s, Oscar’s. The Best Of’s. The best slips away between the cracks, it grows between the cement blocks of city streets. It’s little sprouts from little seeds that form a germ in society. That put claim to so little but ultimately deliver so much. That grows far from watching eyes, that grows in the heart and not in sight.
C.M is a great band. They won’t change the world but the world will change within them and hold on- if you think the world will still be the same in a few years when the young folks get older. I’m watching and waiting for the young to take hold.
In the meantime you have this great band and their music to listen to- now.
(Slimedog)
