Bride Of The Monster - Plague Of Ages EP
2006 DWI Productions

Track Listing:
1.  Intro
2.  Malleus Maleficarum
3.  Float
4.  Plague Of Ages
5.  Absence Of Sound Mind
6.  Chappedlipswettitslooseclitsoreass

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Scump, J.
Guitars:  Dan, Jooba
Bass:  J.
Drums:  Scump

Website:  www.brideofthemonster.org

Shev's Rating:  A
Overall Rating:  A

Shev's Review:
When I read a review, I usually just tend to read the first few sentences, and if nothing strikes me I move onto something else.  So before I go into detail, I just wanted to say this so it's perfectly clear to everybody that stumbles upon this review:  If you at all dig groovy, ass-shakin' deathrock and/or death & roll, buy this fucking EP!  And with that out of the way...

"Bride Of The Monster" certainly seems like an odd name for a death & roll band.  Sounds more like it should be associated with some cheeserock horrorpunk band riddled with Misfits tattoos and plastic skull jewelry.  As it turns out, the name of the band is in tribute to these film freaks' favorite Ed Wood flick.  And why would they even bother naming their band after a movie?  Simply because Bride Of The Monster's earliest form was a two-peice soundtrack band between J. and Scump.  It didn't take long before the idea of the film was put on the back burner, guitar duo Dan and Jooba signed on, and Toronto's ultimate death & roll band was formed.

The guys behind Bride Of The Monster are influenced by many different bands, but there are two that really tend to stick out: Blood Duster and Pantera.  More specifically, post-Str8 Outta Northcote Blood Duster and the Pantera-era between "Cowboys From Hell" and "Vulgar Display Of Power".  The dual vocalists not only add a nice contrast with the music, most bands opting for a low/high or low/mid mix of the same general style, but these guys take it one step further and use one set of low death metal growls and one set of Anselmo-styled throaty, thrashy vox...minus the falsetto attempts, thank god.  On paper it doesn't sound like something that I would be terribly interested in attempting, but after listening to the weaving vocals of "Float", they've done a nice job integrating the two and turning it into their own style.

There's also nothing to complain about with the dual guitarists as they apparently have no problems working with each other.  Nice selections of death and thrash with a very distinct rock-oriented sound flowing seamlessly through every song.  The Pantera influence tends to shine a little strong through their use of pinch harmonics in some sections, but ultimately doesn't effect the music in a negative way. Especially when working with the rhythm, a very strong effort on drums.  Nicely used deathrock beats with equally strong fills.  The whole sound from front to back works excellent for these guys.  Good music to drive to if you've already burned out your Deathrace King CD.

I usually try to come up with at least one negative thing for everything I listen to, but it was pretty damn hard on this one.  At worst, "Absence Of Sound Mind" carried on a little too long for my tastes and the production was a little wet...but come on.  This is the first release by these guys.  As far as I'm concerned, this is absolutely the best thing I've heard so far in 2006.  BRING ON THE FULL LENGTH!
Shev's Rating:  A

Discography (last updated 7.5.06):
Plague Of Ages EP - 2006