This was one of those impulse buys, or better to say 'what the fuck is this' buys.  I found Have a Good Time many years ago at a flea market amongst a ton of other unknown metal bands (how I regret not buying the lot of them today).  The unmistakeably punk style of the artwork drew me in, as did the fact that the band apparently toured with Kreator based on some live photos in the insert.  A guitarist with a Corrosion of Conformity shirt?  A song about having a pet fly and another about squeezing pimples?  Sold.

Soothsayer have been around since the early 80s, playing a style mixing roughly three genres together: thrash, speed metal, and hardcore punk.  But at the same time it's not easy to simply go with one or the other.  The music is frantic and clear, the drums occasionally mix it up with interesting patterns, the bassist rolls his fingers all over the fretboard, and the vocals range from punk yelling to hardcore, throat-tearing screams at sudden rapid bursts.  The band has a level of playfulness you don't see often.  It's hard to think they're serious about themselves when you have songs about pimples where the vocals urge you to "spray the juice on the ones you hate, it's wonderful."

Thing is, though, some of the songs on Have a Good Time come off as idiotic.  "The Game I", for example, is a totally untouching rant about surviving life, carried by blah acoustic guitar/bass work and drumming that seems like it wants to go fast, as well as a poor attempt at singing.  These few tracks have an (cringe) 'alternative rock' feel, but the majority are fast, active, and in-your-face awesome.  When they keep it fast, crazy, and weird, Soothsayer really has something to say on Have a Good Time.  Check out "Buzz Fly", "Pimple Sprayer", and "E.T." in particular, or better yet, buy the whole thing.

Have a Good Time is a great album.  If it weren't for a few poorly organized tracks that seem downright absurd based on the rest, it would be pretty close to perfect.  Sadly, other than a few comps, Soothsayer only released one more CD after this, featuring some live tracks and their earlier demo material.  But, hold back those tears, because if you thought songs about pimples and pet flies were gone forever, know this, Soothsayer is still active.  That's right, these guys are still playing, and more importantly they're finally releasing a brand-new full length called Troops Fight Back.  Based on the tracks you can find online, it seems they've been stuck in a time warp this whole time.  From what I've heard, it's powerful, a bit harsher, but still good old Soothsayer.  At least someone knew how to keep it real.  I better get a damn copy in the mail. 

Official Site

Written by Arkus