Zimmers Hole - When You Were Shouting at the Devil (We Were in League with Satan)
Century Media Records - CD9977832 - 17 March, 2008
By Jack Deming
Under review here is the third effort from Zimmers Hole, a band whose name I had previously only heard in passing and for some reason believed to be newly formed in response to Devin Townsend's disbanding of Strapping Young Lad, as it includes the remaining non Townsend elements of SYL. As expected from the ingredients involved, this album is fucking powerful. Pure, fast paced, non stop energy. Comparisons to Strapping Young Lad are inevitable, and not at all unfounded. Humorous lyrics (albeit even sillier than those of SYL), lots of downtuned chugging, and fast paced heaviness are all in the mix, although with precious few of those pleasantly surprising undertones of stellar musicianship that so often lurk among SYL's verses.
Awesome album title aside, these guys stay true to metal to a fault at times, sometimes effecting the overall originality ('Hair Doesn't Grow on Steel' pulls a lick straight from Metallica's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', and the SYL issue has been covered), but one gets a general idea of how Zimmers Hole weigh their priorities in breaking new ground as opposed to being heavy and having fun. One only needs to read down the track list to figure this out. 'Flight of the Night Bat' features a fairly righteous chant of "We! Want! A breakdown! We! Need! A breakdown!", one that they most certainly deliver. Halfway through, Nathan Explosion of cartoon metallers Dethklok makes an appearance in 'The Vowel Song', struggling through a public announcement concerning literacy which, in typical Dethklok fashion, soon lapses into mumblings about big, sweaty knockers and jerking off. Classic.
Overall, When You Were Shouting at the Devil is a damn fine piece of metal if you're looking for an entertaining listen. However, if longevity and originality are what you're after, most listeners would do well to stick to Strapping Young Lad.
Official Zimmers Hole Website
Official Zimmers Hole Myspace
Official Century Media Records Website
Century Media Records - CD9977832 - 17 March, 2008
By Jack Deming
Under review here is the third effort from Zimmers Hole, a band whose name I had previously only heard in passing and for some reason believed to be newly formed in response to Devin Townsend's disbanding of Strapping Young Lad, as it includes the remaining non Townsend elements of SYL. As expected from the ingredients involved, this album is fucking powerful. Pure, fast paced, non stop energy. Comparisons to Strapping Young Lad are inevitable, and not at all unfounded. Humorous lyrics (albeit even sillier than those of SYL), lots of downtuned chugging, and fast paced heaviness are all in the mix, although with precious few of those pleasantly surprising undertones of stellar musicianship that so often lurk among SYL's verses.
Awesome album title aside, these guys stay true to metal to a fault at times, sometimes effecting the overall originality ('Hair Doesn't Grow on Steel' pulls a lick straight from Metallica's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', and the SYL issue has been covered), but one gets a general idea of how Zimmers Hole weigh their priorities in breaking new ground as opposed to being heavy and having fun. One only needs to read down the track list to figure this out. 'Flight of the Night Bat' features a fairly righteous chant of "We! Want! A breakdown! We! Need! A breakdown!", one that they most certainly deliver. Halfway through, Nathan Explosion of cartoon metallers Dethklok makes an appearance in 'The Vowel Song', struggling through a public announcement concerning literacy which, in typical Dethklok fashion, soon lapses into mumblings about big, sweaty knockers and jerking off. Classic.
Overall, When You Were Shouting at the Devil is a damn fine piece of metal if you're looking for an entertaining listen. However, if longevity and originality are what you're after, most listeners would do well to stick to Strapping Young Lad.
Official Zimmers Hole Website
Official Zimmers Hole Myspace
Official Century Media Records Website
