PanzerBastard / Tenebrae split EP – “The Sons Of Belial”
This is a split EP recorded by PanzerBastard and Tenebrae joining forces to demolish everything we hold dear- mother, the flag, apple pie- plus the foundations of civilization as an extra bonus. Unleashing a sort of musical bubonic plague upon our established musical values and hierarchies, therefore causing the structures of time and space to implode.
Or maybe they just wanted to make a killer record using the values TNB holds dear- namely punk, metal and hardcore. In either case I’d say the operation was a complete success.
Now, PanzerBastard is a popular local metal band. They describe themselves as “rock’n’roll/ metal/ punk/ hardcore” which is pretty accurate. I’d say they’re closer to metal but since they lean heavily toward the Motorhead/ thrash part they’ve always been one of my favorite local metal bands.
Also, as a metal band they’ve been the most comfortable to step out of the traditional constraints of metal and do so with punk attitude in everything they do. They went through a time where they weren’t playing out much but recently, thankfully, that has changed.
Now, Tenebrae is a good match for these guys, I feel, as they’re both popular and respected bands. And both straddle the styles of punk, metal and hardcore while delivering exciting live performances as well.
Tenebrae describe themselves as “punk/ black metal/ rock/ hardcore” and “mixing punk with death metal.” This is accurate, also, as their songs usually have black metal vocals along with hardcore or rock rhythms. I feel they fall more on the traditional side of metal and because of this I enjoy them greatly but not as much as Panzer Bastard.
So whether this album is by Panzebrae or TeneBastard I’ll let you choose. I choose to give some songs a listen.
PanzerBastard leads off with “Drugs Party in 526 (GBH cover).” GBH being an early street punk/Oi band that played a great show last year at the Middle East. After an intro that builds tension a doomsday guitar line swoops in breaking the walls apart while riding on top of a steady rock beat. This song contains the great vibe of early punk songs “We Are The One” by The Avengers or Andy Bang’s favorite local song of all time La Peste’s “Better Off Dead” and maybe even “Young, Fast Iranians” by The F.U.’s. This song glides along like opening doors to exciting, new but possibly dangerous places. “We got a drugs party in 526.” A middle eastern guitar line, similar to the one in “Paint It Black” by the Stones, floats in somewhere. For my (drug) money this beats the original out by a mile and is much better than any drug money can buy.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01 Drugs Party in 526.mp3|titles=Drugs Party in 526]“Workhorse,” also by PanzerBastard, starts out with some slashing chords, a grunting “Go!” and one high pitched continual guitar note that sounds like an emergency alarm going off in the dead of night. This song is almost an industrial hardcore song with a fast, revolving, unrelenting riff and beat with exhorting vocals on top of it, ending with one long, sustaining yell. Unique and awesome.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/02 Workhorse.mp3|titles=Workhorse]“Wake Up” is by Tenebrae and starts with some powerful metal chords answered several times by rolling drums before the vocals bust in. Once in, the spitting venomous black metal vocals are met with a pushing hardcore rhythm and minor key guitar chords crashing off of them. The drums create an exciting energy as the vocals and guitars provide a feeling of aggression and angst. A breakdown toward the end with chugging guitar leads to the end of this political song calling for America to wake up. Not fully aware of the political intent but I’m well aware this is a great tune.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/04 Wake Up.mp3|titles=Wake Up]With a strutting rock beat and snarling guitar licks that would be right at home on a Guns N Roses or Motley Crue record, “Way Of The Black,” leads us into a moderate, rocking tune. “This is the end, the end of our days.” A second verse with sparser instrumentation still leads us into the chorus of doubt and dismay. “That crooked devil, it’s so cold outside/ I’ve built a fire that wants to die.” I’ve no doubt that this song is a winner.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/05 Ways Of The Black.mp3|titles=Ways Of The Black]I’d say this record’s got it all. Hard rock and hard core and hard partyin’ in 526. Heavy tunes and heavy metal, black metal and black hearted songs. You also get GBH and Motorhead covers and you get two great local bands to create twice the amount of volume, passion and fun. Fury and guts poured to the rim of reasonable expectations and then, overflowing in an explosion of entrails, madness and joy. With enough integrity, energy and commitment to last a lifetime, perfect and infinite to the core.
I’d say, who could ask for anything more? I know I couldn’t, I don’t yearn for another single thing- except… for you to give them a listen.
http://jailhouserecords3.bandcamp.com/album/sons-of-belial-panzerbastard-tenebrae-split
(Slimedog)
