Jonestown – Viy
Why do so many of us get such a thrill from watching horror movies or reading stories about fantastical creatures doing terrible things to innocent people? I think it’s because all of us find comfort in convincing our brains that some evil forces are simply beyond our understanding. It’s as sweet to think horror stories could be real as to think fairy stories could be real.
If there’s ever been any music fit to score a horror flick, that’s old-fashioned heavy metal. Indeed, from early hard rock to thrash, from death to black metal, horror and heavy guitar-based music have evolved naturally together. The classy-titled Jonestown just work to deepen the connection.
“Viy” will work particularly well if you’re a fan of old-school thrash guitar riffs and Soviet horror cinema. It’s music for niche interests and strange, little pleasures. But this is also a well-played, nicely-arranged song which proves that heavy metal in its original, occult-loving form continues to have a future when supported by bands like Jonestown.
Soul Monkey Breed – Hey Little Suzie
What does rock n’ roll actually do for people? And why have so many folks, in countries all across the world, fallen in love with, for the most American-styled, rock n’ roll for generations and generations?
At its core, let’s be honest, this is not just a style of music, but a lifestyle that gives many people a sense of purpose. It’s also something that scratches a particular itch, a basic thrill that many people learn that they cannot live without.
Loud, rowdy, over-confident rock n’ roll deserves its recognition just as well as the angrier or artsier counterparts that are more often featured on Alt77. After all, it’s music like the one made by Soul Monkey Breed that never seems to ever go away for long.
“Hey Little Suzie” is direct, fun rock music about chasing girls, getting your heart broken and washing the disappointment away with another drink, or a drive in a fast vehicle. There’s a certain confidence, even hopefulness, that you need to make music like Soul Monkey Breed. This hard-rock style isn’t going away anytime soon.
