Rising from the acrid smoke and long decrepit dreams of the ASTROVAMPS appears a new chapter of Death Rock supremacy for the new age...BLACK HEROIN GALLERY. A cantankerous quartet of legendary rogues who have traversed (and ultimately ) trampled over the graves of many long dead scenesters. Led by affluent wordsmith of the damned Eyajo December Joseph (who could very well usurp the rotting crown of raven bohemian literature from Lou Reed) and backed by semi-psychotic, fully deranged madman Tony F. Corpse on per(con)cussion. Filling out this derelict's innards are Kevin Desolate (Bass) and Peter Walters (Guitar) respectively. Enough verbal rambling though, let's get to the review, shall we?
Track one " Below Dark Waters " shares common blood bonds with the essential post punk retrobates yet is distinctive in its own avant garde way. Sly tempo fluctuations serve to enhance its cobwebbed ear fodder. "December Malice " starts very charged, with a prolonged intro that recalls AC / DC, but have no fear because it's business as usual from there on as the pendulum swings into ominous mode.
Parlaying unto near Sopor Aeternus territory ( especially the vocal histrionics ) B.H.G. takes you on a cadaverous thrill ride. One part Disney's Haunted Mansion one fourth Cinema Strange two parts Theatre Of Pain ' era Christian Death and a sizeable injection of hardcore fury via THEGERMS and KILLING JOKE. An odd assembly true, but it works. Sometimes to the detriment of lesser ears but mission accomplished nonetheless. Compositionally (and atmospherically) “His Beautiful Darkness " is assuredly the album's centerpiece. Aesthetically pleasing and filled to the rim ( unlike Brim ) with ethereal, charming decadence, voodoo'esque tribal drums, church bell intoned chordal maneuvers and a charnal mode that could work at both a funeral procession and an LSD induced magic ritual. Picture FLEETWOOD MAC gone goth.
Ending not with a whimper but rather a storm of razor blades " Twitching Dead Things " is unbridled punk fury unleashed. Frowning on melody it goes to the source of the heartbeat, straight for the jugular and slices it apart with the berserk rage of a thousand disgruntled demons. Recommend for the living and the deceased.
