The Bulletmonks

Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Written by: TL on 27/03/2009 16:23:00

Okay, so about this new German band The Bulletmonks and their debut album "Weapons Of Mass Destruction", here's the deal: If you like overblown rock'n'roll with its balls out and no hint of compromise in sight, then there's a good chance you're going to like these dudes. If you feel the whole AC/DC thing is getting a bit tired by now however, you probably won't.

What, you can't make a decision based on that premise? Then let me spell it out for you: The Bulletmonks play rock'n'roll pretty much as classic and straightforward as it gets. Bluesy and groovy guitar licks and drums galloping away at high speed are the name of the game, while vocalist Tyler Voxx (......) spits out in-your-face attitude-filled lyrics in a manner that makes you think Disturbed's very own David Draiman has gone on some retro rock'n'roll trip with these German dudes.

Except for the plain annoying "I Am" however, this isn't as painful to listen to as one would think, and in general there are slightly more highlights than annoyances on this album. These come best represented by opener "No Gain Just Pain", and "Canned Insanity", the later of which proves that these boys are really at their best when keeping to playing fast, OTT guitar-driven rock'n'roll without looking back. This song in particular has a slight psychobilly feel to it, and the added speed and flavour work wonders on Bulletmonks' sound.

The problem for "Weapons Of Mass Destruction" is that it is the kind of record that operates with next to no changes in expression and next to no changes in intensity, and this is a problem when the sound is something you already feel like you've heard many times before. Busting balls and starting parties is certainly a good thing for your music to do, but still, some of us would like to have the time we spend listening to a record rewarded by hearing something new. I mean otherwise there are plenty of AC/DC records to choose from right? Anyway, other than that, I keep thinking of the Danes in Rock Hard Power Spray when I listen to this, and how it seems like The Bulletmonks are doing the same thing, but without the same coolness and arrogance that justifies the hype around the Danes.

In any case, personally I'm not particularly taken in by The Bulletmonks' debut, but still I wouldn't go so far as to call it a decisively bad record. It does what it does with conviction and skill, and if you're not one to be put off by a bit of repetition, bordering on monotony, this could still keep your head bopping for some time.

Download: No Gain Just Pain, Canned Insanity, Downtown Is Dead
For The Fans Of: AC/CD, Rock Hard Power Spray, DAD
Listen: myspace.com/bulletmonks

Release Date: 27.03.2009
Napalm Records

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