CoC : Acid Bath - Paegan Terrorism Tactics : Review

Acid Bath - _Paegan Terrorism Tactics_
(Rotten Records, 1996)
by: Adrian Bromley (9 out of 10)

_Paegan Terrorism Tactics_, Acid Bath's follow-up album to 1994's disturbing and violently coated release _When the Kite String Pops_ (killer John Wayne Gacy artwork serving as its cover), follows much of the same direction and sound of _WtKSP_ with an unclean, well-powered slab of heavy guitar riffs, flowing grooves, and a vast assortment of screams and growls all thrown together. I thoroughly enjoyed - and still do - this release as it has enhanced the groove and diversity of the band with singer Dax Riggs providing some killer vocals (both the clear and unclear ones) and the band shaping its sound into a more proportioned deliverance of their musical "terrorism tactics" this time around. Being from Louisiana, the band radiates a Southern-style flare to their music, much like that of Corrosion of Conformity or newcomers Floodgate, but still manages to fuck shit up with their incorporation of death metal growls and fast-paced guitar licks. This record is like a rollercoaster ride. It's fast and slow-paced at times but you always know there is a good thrill around the bend. Attention grabbers include the stomp of "New Corpse", "Locust Spawning", and "Bleed Me an Ocean", as well "Graveflower" and "Venus Blue". There is also a neat and lengthy (and pretty morbid) acoustic track called "Dead Girl" that rounds out the record. Note: The mid-point of the record, "Old Skin", has to be one of the creepiest things I have heard in some time. Creepy. Also, to keep up with the controversy, the band has included a painting by "Dr. Death" himself, Dr. Jack Kevorkian (called "For He Is Raised"), to serve as the cover artwork. Gotta love it. The "sophomore jinx" has not affected Acid Bath as _PTT_ delivers a well-balanced and diverse offering that'll surely grab the attention of many fans of multiple musical genres. This album comes highly recomended.

(article published 18/11/1996)

CHATS
3/16/1997	A Bromley	Acid Bath: Neutralizing the Bass