RAGINPIT MAGAZINE

Insecticide - Unreleased 1990 Album + 1987 Demo
Release Date: 2007
Track Listing:
1. Overpowered
2. Collision Course
3. Phobia
4. Beheaded
5. Psychic Vein
6. Swarmkill
7. Proven Guilty
8. 97 Megatons
9. Buzzzzz
10. Vortex (Unreleased track)
11. Overpowered (1987 Demo)
12. Phobia (1987 Demo)
13. Buzzzz (1987 Demo)
14. Proven Guilty (1987 Demo)

In the 80’s, thrash was a prevalent genre of metal. 1986 was a good year for thrash, as we saw the release of albums that are the touchstone of the genre: Slayer’s Reign in Blood and Metallica’s Master of Puppets, for example. That year also marked the formation of a southern California-based thrash band called Insecticide, consisting of Sherman Jones on bass/vocals and Brian Smith on guitar, joined by various drummers until Rich Rowen filled the spot in 1988.Last year, Blower Records put out the previously unreleased full-length album by Insecticide from 1990, in addition to their demo from 1987 and an unreleased track. When I opened this, I was treated to a 14-page CD booklet with pictures from back in the day, scans of old tape-trading letters, typewritten zine reviews, and flyers. Talk about nostalgia! They also included a family tree, which at the top has the quote “We started this band to play music our way and on our terms.” That right there is the quote of the century and encompasses what it means to be a metalhead: “I’m doing shit MY way, and if you don’t like it, you can fuck off!”

I guess I should say something about the music. Let me just say that as a HUGE fan of the thrash genre, I definitely enjoyed this album. As a crusty, it’s always interesting to listen to old demos and unreleased tracks, while reminiscing about the good old days. There is a definite Slayer influence in Insecticide’s tunes, especially the shouted vocals. Highlights from the unreleased album tracks are “Overpowered,” “Phobia,” and “Swarmkill” which is one badass fuckin' song title. The unreleased track “Vortex” is awesome and you can really hear Sherman Jones’ bass up in the mix, which I dig. The sound quality on this CD is what you would expect to hear if you were sitting in your bedroom and spinning this vinyl album on your turntable. It doesn’t sound “remastered” or “remixed” in any way and to me that scores extra points. I like hearing the 80’s thrash in its raw, unpolished form.

For fans of this time and music, I would highly suggest you pick this up, especially if you enjoy listening to the raw emotion put to tape by bands from back then, without all the fancy polished hi-fi production. Insecticide gets extra props for including the scans of the old pics, letters, and flyers. You'll be moshing around your living room in no time.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 bottles of insecticide!

http://www.insecticide.cideshow.com
http://www.myspace.com/insecticideband