The Devils Rain - Misfits

This is an album that I've been putting off, and now it's time to finally do it. The Halloween season is upon us and what better time to listen to this band then then. This is the sixth studio album by the Misfits, second led by Jerry Only. I remember digging this when it came out, and still like some tracks on here... but it's been a good 3 years since I've heard anything besides Land of the Dead and Twilight.

1. The Devil's Rain: Rain fall opens the album, mixed with a bit o'tunder. This is a pretty promising opening. The drums fade in and the rest of the band follows to open the track. Objectively, this opening really don't grab me. This is more of a one ear out the other. The way this is going I think it should cut maybe before the solo then explode. I know that's similar to Kong, but I think it'd work better and make the 50 minutes go by faster (there wouldn't be 50 minutes anymore).
2. Vivid Red: opening a lot more punchy, but wheres the kick. It still feels kinda weak. I don't know this doesn't do much for me either. I mean I've heard this before but there's kinda nothing there. 
3. Land of the Dead: This is a re-recording of the 2009 single of the same name. I'm glad they did that, rather than being lazy and reusing the same track they released over two years prior. This version is also pretty solid, and maybe it isn't punchy or strong, but it is catchy. This isn't as good as I remember it being the other times I've heard it, but I still like it. I mean this has the punch I'm more looking for you know.
4. The Black Hole: The most interesting thing about the track, and most memorable is the ending sound effect.
5. Twilight of the Dead: This was also a single in 2009, and it also happened to be re-recorded. I do like this track, thought in the context of the album it takes away some of the punch. Or rather some of the, may I wanna revisit this. I mean it still stands out, but it's almost like one track ends then you loop it, change key/lyrics and play.
6. Curse of the Mummy's Hand: I don't remember caring for this my initial 2011 listen. This track opens kinda stupid, and not even like campy and charming. It's like, really you really wanna do that shit. The song in and of itself it fine. But you know, I kinda miss Michale. The chorus by the way fucking sucks. They way he phrases it.... cringe. Plus he kinda kills the flow of the song.
7. Cold in Hell: This is an okay track, if you can get over the lyrics. I mean, it does go in one ear and out the other, but I'm not triggered. Also that whole second half of the song, they so fucking easily could have done something really interesting, instead they chose not to.
8. Unexplained: The two tracks flow, the sounds fade into this track, but that doesn't make it "aye, you're forgiven". Plus I can't really jive with this tune anyway. Some of the vocals are neat, but I feel like maybe mix it up.
9. Dark Shadows: I didn't realize they were making 80's pop music. I think they vocals are going for more of a 50's feeling, but like then do harmonies and turn the fucking band down. Like imagine how neat it'd sound if at the ending of the phrases they actually had harmonies. Like in a doo-wop manner. Then they sort of build into the chorus, why not add more harmonies or vocals the make it larger. I mean they kinda do later on, but it isn't strong enough you know. This is a large song, it needs to eventually overpower you and build you know. Maybe add the electric guitar and drums later. Open with vocals percussion and an acoustic guitar. I don't know, build it up, don't kinda do that but not have the pay off.
10. Father: This riff reminds me a bit of Judas Priest. Maybe like a less effective version of Electric Eye. Like the original before they figured it out you know. Kinda like the goofing around before you "get" the riff. Later on, while there is a change, like what the fuck. I don't even know.
11. Jack the Ripper: Metallica? This isn't terrible, but it makes me think... I really hope that I don't feel as numb towards Hardwired... to Self-Destruct as I have to the albums singles.
12. Monkey's Paw: It's kinda cute, in a it's not really way. I do think the harmonies work better here, but like I just feel like this is a jumble. Like not really as focused maybe.
13. Where Do They Go?: This title, it makes me think, "What can I say?". Sometimes it makes me think "Where Can I go?". This is a stupid track, but I gotta say, it works. The fucking 50's charm is there. This actually works, verses the other tracks that don't.
14. Sleepwalkin': This is okay, I mean I like it more than some of the weaker track, but like.... I still don't completely jive. It's just okay.
15. Ghost of Frankenstein: Really, how the fuck does that work. Frankly, isn't he just reanimated tissue. So like does he have a soul to even become a ghost. Or would like his soul be a mix of the souls of all the people who's bodies he's made of. Or is it that his brain would be the soul, or the mix, or I don't know and I kinda don't care really anymore. That intro doesn't really work, like they didn't even have a sort of thing to make this a different track. Maybe throw in strings in the pre-chrous.
16. Death Ray: Closing the album we get a song that actually has some energy. There's a punch and this is the closest they've gotten to the old version of the bad.

Overall I have to give this a 4/10. You know, I get why people don't like this. To be honest it isn't that great of a representation of what the group once was. It'd be like if Aerosmith continued without Steven Tyler or Joe Per.... oh wait. If you can look past the stupid stuff, and think of this as a sort of Jerry Only solo album, kinda in the way Vincent would continue Alice Cooper after 1973. I mean this isn't What The... bad, it's more.... it's more..... I don't fucking know. But it's not the worst thing ever, thought it could be maybe 13 or 12 tracks vs 16. This isn't anything they've come out with, excluding maybe DeA.D. Alive!, since this album *cough* Friday the 13th *cough*. Let's hope they make a reunion Live album and maybe a new album with Glenn and then close the book on the releases.

Okay so if they made this an Ep, made up of 3, 5, 11, 13, 14, 15 (with strings) and 16. Or maybe cut the first two tracks, I think it'd be a 7.

Famous Monster - Misfits

Thought I don't celebrate Halloween, outside of eating candy, I still love horror flicks. I would never dress up for he holiday, last time I did was in 5th grade, and I don't do parties (well depends on who's hosting). But in honor of my favorite horror themed band why not do this review? Since today marks the 16th anniversary of this album, why not pick this? I usually save the Misfits for October anyway, so there's that reason. Now this is, easily, one of the best albums by the group. While this was made during the period Michale Graves was the singer (1995-2000), and this was the second singer to be on a record. This isn't the first album to feature him, including LiveEvil II, it's his 3rd. The first album to feature him is good, American Psycho, but not nearly as good as this (if memory serves. I think they were going for more of a Danzig feeling on that record, this is the record where they come into their own.) And it's way better than anything Jerry Only as the singer put out (though Devils Rain ain't half bad, it's pretty good). I remember the first time I heard this album, hell I remember downloading it. It was while we were still filming Travel Bound, sophomore hear of High School. Riding in a car, waiting to get picked up. I remebwr telling certain people they are awesome, then that person didnt have any interest until I believe the following winter, when he got a Misfits shirt and was all the sudden a bigger fan than me. PS I'm just giving you a hard time, we've all been there. Hell I can still sing most of these songs..... but as you know rambling on and on and on isn't getting me anywhere. So let's review this [in my mind] "classic" punk album. I also plan, by the way, to review a few albums I like this month.... you know instead of reviewing a bunch of 2015 albums that were okay.

1. Kong at the Gates: This is the opening, and it's really just an intro. Nothing much happens, there is very percussion based, but it's supposed to give that feeling.
2. The Forbidden Zone: I doubt this inspired by Richard Elfman's classic 1980 cult classic (and one of my favorite ever) film of the same name. Mostly because their cut off is like.... I'd say probably 1968 maybe, for movies and stuff. But his just comes speeds right off the bat, and is a solid track. Like a lot of track there isn't a whole lot to say.
3. Lost In Space: This track is faster than the last track, and I really dig it. It shouldn't by all counts, there is very little difference between the track, but I still dig it. Also nice drum work Dr. Chud.
4. Dust to Dust: This riff reminds me of a song, like Hole or something like that. I could be remembering wrong, but like a girl punk song that would be in a Guitar Hero/Rock Band game. I also love the choruses on this albums.
5. Crawling Eye: The only real difference is the massive amount of feed back at the end of this song, and how it's heavier before that part.
6. Witch Hunt: When I saw this title, The Office title "Gay Witch Hunt" came to mind. This song is not about that though, I can't imagine they do a song about a TV Show episode that came out some 8 years after this albums release. I really don't have much to say about this track, I really can't think of anything to say.
7. Scream!: Sadly this was the only track to get a music video. George Romero did it. I liked it when I saw it.For whatever reason I don't really care for this song, I don't know why, it never really clicked with me. It's funny because it sounds different than the other tracks, like different enough to not just be a variation on the same track.
8. Saturday Night: This is a classic that is a call back to the 50's doo-wop. But they not only did a good job of recapturing it, they also don't use any words that are violent. I mean it's more punky, and uses overdrive and like a rock rendition. But seriously, this could be a cover of a 50's track of the style. It even has the "douche bag" lyrics, as once said by Frank Zappa (look it up). But this is so good, I can't tell you haw often I just play this song once or twice in a row. It's easily, in terms of my favorite Misfit tracks, up there in the league of We Are 138, I Turned into A Martian and even Last Caress. It also might not be the best solo, but I think it works. This is is one of those songs, like the original Science Fiction/Double Feature that you can't really hate. For me at least.
9. Pumpkin Head: This is another song that is different enough and is fast paced. This is a nice solid punk song, that I feel is going for more of a Danzig feeling. Except unlike on some tracks on American Psycho, he's singing like himself.
10. Scarecrow Man: While this may be a weak ass title, but it's probably got the toughest riff here. It is also another song that sounds different enough.The music here is very bluesy, with a solid solo. It's kind of a nice change of pace. I imagine, if AC/DC was more punk they'd play a song like this. I like this track.
11. Die Monster Die: While titled very similarly to the classic Die My Darling (the double die in the lyrics) it's still pretty sick. I mean the harmony vocals sound better than the harmonies on the early albums with Glenn. This is a pretty basic song, in the campy feeling that I got from the earlier tracks. Not much to say other than that.
12. Living Hell: Great track, great chorus. Also a song that would fit snugly on a Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtrack. This is, like most of the songs, very straight forward and to the point.
13. Descending Angel: This is a track that was later covered by Jerry Only's lead Misfits. And you know, the beginning, I'm just not feeling it. The chorus isn't half bad, harmonies, but it's nothing different here.
14. Them: This is based on the horror flick that's about Van Morrison's band before he went solo :). Not really, but I thought it was funny. This song isn't that bad, it seems there are two styles on this. The fun, campy sound and the more heavy dark sound. This is the fun campy. Also love the chorus, it vaguely reminds me of Cheepnis.
15. Fiend Club: I may be going crazy, but I have heard this riff outside of this track. But this is a nice change of pace. Seriously, I don't think a single track here sound like this. This would probably, hypothetically, be a great ender if it was more punchy. Like if they threw in a little Be Agressive.
16. Hunting Humans: This is a song I'm not very familiar with, never really listened to it. I really like the lyrics in the chorus, it makes me laugh. I love the double meaning you can take away from it.
17. Helena: This is probably one of the most complex songs by the band. It's certainly the best written on the album. It starts out with a riff that is probably the most memorable on the record, and continues this section for the verses. That part is fairly easy to listen to, not all that heavy. After this the track goes into double time and seems more chaotic. This section also contains the heaviest section on the entire album. The contrast of the two parts *kisses finger like chef (you know that thing they do)* perfect. You know, I think part of the reason I liked Dirty Rotten Bastards may be because its kinda similar to this track. Except this is far superior.
18. Kong Unleashed: This closes the album and is similar to the opener. This almost didn't have to be here. Like I think it should have been mixed in better to be the ending of the Helena. I know it segues into the track, but the right way to do a track like into this is something like Coming Home into Planets. I think if it was more like that, the feed back from the guitar, then it'd be a much better ending. You could leave in the Kong voice, just have it be part of the last track. 

Overall I have to give this album a 7.7/10. But in terms of writing it's probably less than that, but I love this thing. This is very similar style wise, lots of song sound similar. Usually that bothers me, but there's something about this that lets me just let go. Maybe it has to do with how its still kinda campy, though they embrace the camp more with Mike than before. I mean seriously, when your band is basically a tribute band to old campy b-horror flicks, its bound to happen. It's also a whole lot more fun listening to this than it is say Wolfs Blood. This is just, and I should hang myself for this, a group of guys having fun.... and I'm okay with it. Now I bet lots of people may feel this is a lesser album because it doesn't have Glenn. Something I believe is, unless you don't like the way the singer's vocals, there is always something redeeming about any line up change. From Squeeze to 5150 to Rock In A Hard Place, even (thought it kills to say this) Come Taste the Band. The only exception to that rule is when the bands been around too long *cough* if you were a band in the around or before the 80's *cough*. At that point, unless you have a fresh new take, don't get back together or even still be together. The thing that's so great about this is is sounds different than Danzig. It's sounds nicer, more appealing. Also I plan to do a