S.O.D. - Speak English Or Die
Megaforce Records - MEGA2020 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
It's strange to imagine anyone celebrating the 20th anniversary of a thrash metal album, but Megaforce Records have chosen to do just that, by releasing a '20th Anniversary Edition' of perhaps the most infamous record of the 80s, Speak English Or Die. Encouragement of suicide, the berating of men emasculated by their partners, 'Fuck The Middle East' - yep, the album caused something of a stir when it came out for it's outspoken, ostensibly bigoted, tongue-in-cheek lyricism courtesy of Billy Milano, with Anthrax's Scott Ian and Charlie Benante providing instrumental support.
The album didn't merit a 20th anniversary edition by dint of offensiveness alone, however - in fact, it's a fuckin' good hardcore-infused thrash album in it's own right. The velocity on tracks like 'Kill Yourself' and the crowd favourite 'Milk' takes the album close the grindcore at times, whilst the aggressive stomp of 'Milano Mosh' coupled with savage, light-speed riffage marked Speak English Or Die out as a landmark release. This edition includes the full album digitally remastered, a couple of bonus studio tracks, and eight tracks taken from S.O.D.'s live set in Tokyo, 1999. For those who already own the album (and seriously, there can't be too many thrash fans who don't), the main draw will be the live tracks - performed with energy and enthusiasm in front of a baying crowd of Japs, with Milano at his most engaging. Not bad at all, but perhaps not worth shelling out for the CD again...
For those who don't own the album though, this is a perfect chance to plug a cavernous gap in your thrash collection.
8.5/10
Official Billy Milano Forum
Official Billy Milano Website
Official Megaforce Records Website
Megaforce Records - MEGA2020 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
It's strange to imagine anyone celebrating the 20th anniversary of a thrash metal album, but Megaforce Records have chosen to do just that, by releasing a '20th Anniversary Edition' of perhaps the most infamous record of the 80s, Speak English Or Die. Encouragement of suicide, the berating of men emasculated by their partners, 'Fuck The Middle East' - yep, the album caused something of a stir when it came out for it's outspoken, ostensibly bigoted, tongue-in-cheek lyricism courtesy of Billy Milano, with Anthrax's Scott Ian and Charlie Benante providing instrumental support.
The album didn't merit a 20th anniversary edition by dint of offensiveness alone, however - in fact, it's a fuckin' good hardcore-infused thrash album in it's own right. The velocity on tracks like 'Kill Yourself' and the crowd favourite 'Milk' takes the album close the grindcore at times, whilst the aggressive stomp of 'Milano Mosh' coupled with savage, light-speed riffage marked Speak English Or Die out as a landmark release. This edition includes the full album digitally remastered, a couple of bonus studio tracks, and eight tracks taken from S.O.D.'s live set in Tokyo, 1999. For those who already own the album (and seriously, there can't be too many thrash fans who don't), the main draw will be the live tracks - performed with energy and enthusiasm in front of a baying crowd of Japs, with Milano at his most engaging. Not bad at all, but perhaps not worth shelling out for the CD again...
For those who don't own the album though, this is a perfect chance to plug a cavernous gap in your thrash collection.
8.5/10
Official Billy Milano Forum
Official Billy Milano Website
Official Megaforce Records Website
