Danzig – Deth Red Sabaoth

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The long-awaited comeback from Glenn Danzig’s eponymous band after a six-year absence has the songs to be a triumph, but is let done in one major area; wild variations in the recording quality. Glenn produced the record himself using old methods instead of computers and recording software as is more common in recording studios today in an attempt to achieve a richer, more authentic sound. He’s achieved that, but in some cases it’s almost like the songs are still in demo format and haven’t been through the final mix. On opener Hammer of The Gods and later Deth Red Moon Glenn sounds like he’s singing from the other side of the studio to the microphone, while others play at a much lower volume than the better produced tracks. Additionally on some songs, more than ever before, Glenn sounds like a sinister Elvis Presley and this unfortunately means he slips into self-parody too often. The star of the record is guitarist Tommy Victor, who delivers some of the most interesting groove-riffs a Danzig album has seen and several succinct solos between Glenn’s barks (the longer one in Ju Ju Bone is superb). Some tracks, where they’re not let down by the production and/or recording are classic Danzig, particularly doom-laden Night Star Hel, first single On A Wicked Night, the grooving riffs of The Revengeful, and Black Candy. If Danzig had been able to achieve a more even production across the whole record such that certain tracks didn’t sound like demos, this could have been the true return fans were hoping for. As it is it only makes it half way and is sorely let down by the amateurish sound of at least three of the songs (the aimless Pyre of The Souls Pt. I: Incanticle doesn’t help and lets down its otherwise great acoustic guitar riff).

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Albums, Heavy Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Danzig