Monday, November 4, 2019

NEKROMANTIX-3 DECADES OF DARKLE: PSYCHOBILLY DONE RIGHT


If you’re unfamiliar with the music known as psychobilly then you should make a point of seeking it out. The genre is a combination of rockabilly music, punk music and more often than not a touch of the macabre. The fast, pulsating rhythms of rockabilly that most are familiar with in songs like “Blue Suede Shoes” to “Hello Mary Lou” and even “Stray Cat Strut” are joined with the rough and tumble sound and speed of punk to make a different yet similar sound.

One of the band who’ve made a name for themselves in this genre is Nekromantix. Founded in 1989 the American-Danish band have been a mainstay of the genre for three decades now with their popularity growing. Bass player and lead singer Kim Nekroman is known for his coffin shaped standup bass and brutal singing style that presents lyrics with a horror theme. On guitar and backing vocal is Francisco Mesa and on drums is Rene "Delamuerte" Garcia. When combined the three present a screaming sound that is both unmistakable and launches you into another world.

For those who’ve never seen them live (count me among those though I’ve talked to people who have and who can’t heap enough praise on the band) you can now find out what the uproars about the band is all about. They’re just releasing this combination blu-ray, DVD and CD of a live performance filmed at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA. Directed by Vicente Cordero (3TEETH, ROOM 37: The Mysterious Death of Johnny Thunders), the film features 19 songs released over the bands albums from 30 years’ worth of material.

The band opens with “Struck by a Wrecking Ball” and you’ll feel like you were if you’re volume is turned up high enough. Other songs include “Brain Error”, “Gargoyle’s Over Copenhagen”, “Haunted Cathouse” and “Who Killed the Cheerleader” will either have you scratching your head at how the band is popular or (like me) find yourself moving to the music and enjoying every minute of it.

Limited extras include photos of the band and an interview with them as well. But it’s the music and concert footage that fans are here for. And those fans won’t be disappointed. Worth checking out for those who are curious and a must have for psychobilly fans. 


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