HELLGREASER, horror punk, released their new album on June 21, 2024, the longest day of the year.
Isn't that the most inappropriate day? Doesn't this music need darkness like air to breathe?
The cover is already very promising, even if it plays into clichés, but they are not the only ones. Countless covers feature flames, skeletons, images of destruction, or gruesome figures. We are meant to be addressed by this, as covers and music are often thought of together. In other words, intense cover, intense music.
Now, horror punk is a tricky thing. Many bands oscillate between being forced and clichéd. Of course, there are also good bands, but I personally see most of them coming from psychobilly.
Well, let's listen to how HELLGREASER comes out of the speakers.
After the first songs, the following sticks in my mind:
It is very melodic, moving forward. There is appropriately placed singing and well-placed choirs. The production is good, and I quite like the voice of band founder Slaughter Lamb. At times, it even comes across as dark, although its quality really shines through in the fourth song “The fiends in me.” Overall, it all fits, but one thing it is not for me: horror punk.
Of course, it is audible that Slaughter Lamb was with The Others. Musically and vocally, it is not too far off. However, I must say that I also can't get much into The Other. It all feels too forced to me. Somewhat like a ghost train for bored middle-class kids from the suburbs. I am probably just too spoiled by psychobilly and related genres. When I think about it, this music and the people involved have more authenticity than horror punk with its fans. That is my humble opinion.
HELLGREASER certainly makes good music. If I didn't know this was supposed to be horror punk, I would say it is a rather positively inclined punk band that has taken inspiration from Californian bands and garnished it with catchy melodies and nice hook lines.
“Leader of the lost boys” and “Set this place on fire” also remind me of the highly regarded Bloodsucking Zombies from outer space... this band also comes from psychobilly but has clearly moved towards horror punk in recent years.
So what remains to be said as a conclusion?
Listen to “Hymns of the Dead” yourself and form your own opinion.
