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Background Check: Funny haha and alcohol-themed
thrash metal foursome natural of Sardinia, Italy.
Alkoholizer formed in 2006 and issued a self-produced
demo in 2007 titled Demo-lizer. The drummer also plays
in a band called Smashhead, the bassist does the same in
Mercyless Death, while guitarist Marco Lai has flexed
his NS philosophy with Ancient Rune and his one man band
Pagan Warrior 88. None of Lai’s two projects have issued
any material since 2002, so maybe he wised up. Let’s
give him the benefit of the doubt. I don’t support
racist shit.
Cover
Artwork: Alkoholizer is a thrash metal band so obviously
they weren’t going to put a Rembrandt on the cover of Drunk or
Dead… There is a western theme to the artwork. The band is stuck
in a saloon, arguably sober, they hesitate to leave the bar as
the javelina (or whatever it is)sheriff will blow their tops off with a shotgun. In
this town, you are either drunk or dead. On the back cover you
can see the sheriff all fucked up. Like the dudes of Alkoholizer
got him so drunk he passed out and shat his pants. Oh, those
crazy bambinos. Alkoholizer’s logo includes an actual bottle
doubling as the ‘i’. I love the incorporation of found objects
into art. Alkoholizer makes me think of Tankard, except Tankard
albums had artwork that was far more ridiculous.
What It’s
Like: The influence of Slayer if all over Drunk or Dead…
which is cool because that means that Lai is a fan of brown
people (since Slayer is 50% latin). Plus, Slayer rules. The
first song “Pay With Your Blood” even starts off with an Araya-esque
banshee scream that’s nothing sort of fellatio to the California
band. What follows is a solid album of Bay Area thrash metal.
Thrash metal fans must be really happy these days and
Alkoholizer is another reason to rejoice.
The band offers nothing new, inventive or refreshing, but what
they bring to the table is a solid serving of rowdy riffs,
killer guitar solos, tight drumming and vocals that are, ok,
maybe the vocals of Alessandro Lucariello are the low point. He
is good for thrash metal standards, but that’s not saying much.
Every great thrash metal band had a great vocalist. Every
forgettable and lame thrash metal band had a vocalist whose
voice couldn’t be differentiated from the herd. The alcoholic
themes add to the fun, but also do little to elevate this album beyond the
point of triviality. The high point here is Marco Lai, his
playing could be better showcased in a band with more
aspirations.
What’s it
Worth? Thrash metal died once already and for a good reason.
Sure, thrash is back, but that doesn’t mean that this revival
will go on forever. Yeah, thrash metal is mindless, sometimes
moronic fun and everyone can use some of that, but how much can
you take before you want some substance? Cock rockers were just
as interesting and light and they are all still trying to
restart their careers. At the same time, asking a thrash metal
band to be original is like asking a catholic priest to be
decent and moral. Apparently, it’s just not going to happen. My
point is, Alkoholizer seem to be doing the bare minimum. Yeah,
the music is well-executed and if thrash metal was meant to be
fleeting comfort then this it. Good for you. Help yourself. But
Drunk or Dead… is hardly outstanding.
MySpace
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