Customer Reviews

Danzig

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Glenn Danzig here comes into his own, moving from the schlocky (yet undeniably wonderful) Misfits and the experimental goth-metal Samhain to this hand-picked outfit that sounds like the Doors, Sabbath and AC/DC collided in some frigid, reeking hell. I bought this album upon its release in 1988, having at the time just discovered the Misfits. The visions Danzig here presents are so intense, so sharply drawn, and so gleefully evil that it's a part of me forever.

Unlike many metal bands that have played Satanism either as a lame joke or as license for anti-Christian violence (see the countless black/death metal bands of N. Europe) Danzig knows that the figure of Lucifer is more slippery, more sophisticated than that; Danzig's Devil is amoral, a sensual, pagan force to be reckoned with. Someone once remarked that if Ian MacKaye was early '80s hardcore punk's super-ego, than Glenn Danzig was its id. Too perfect--and perfectly illustrated here.

The opening song is now a Danzig classic, and stands as perhaps his most finely-wrought depiction of the allure, and ambiguity, of evil deeds. "Twist of Cain" refers to the shadow side within us all, a serpent up the spine "that cuts the numbness" and makes us "come alive."

"Yea, took it standing/ Broke commandments/ And he tumbled like a toy/ Blood/ Like a crimson highway/ Spreading out/ From his forehead to the ground."

Glenn's obsession with religious imagery is in full effect here, setting the tone not only for the rest of this album but for all his subsequent works. While some may find it cheesy or overdone, I always found his lyrics and image much more... uh, sophisticated than Slayer or Ozzy or countless other metal bands. He had a lyrical gift rarely found in other contemporary bands, and I think that Jim Morrison influenced more than just his singing. "Not of this World" revels in bizarre, poetic images that resonate in the unconscious mind: "I am the dawn upon your bloody beach." Mr. Mojo Risin' would've found this, I think, irresistable.

With songs delivered in his overwhelming baritone, so seductive, so damning, Glenn really sounds like Satan trying to entice us to do his bidding. Satan's not gonna sound like Tom Araya; he's gonna sound like Glenn at the beginning of "End of Time" or "Soul on Fire."

"She Rides," struts and growls; the demoness who "rides the night" and "slides down inside your skin" is a woman he will return to again and again.

I could go on and on endlessly on the dark delights of this album; the quiet eeriness of "End of Time" with its howl of desolation, "Lost your soul/Doomed and cold"; the raw, ugly, muscular power of "Am I Demon"; the rebellious fervor of "Mother" or the apocalyptic, mysterious, sexually threatening "Soul on Fire."

The demonic braggadocio here is equally tongue-in-cheek and deadly serious, which I find is why I've always really dug Glenn Danzig's work. But rather than reading my review, you could be listening to this album yourself and letting it insinuate itself into your shadowed heart.

This is the first album from one of my favorite bands. I think it's just about the very best Glenn put out though I must admit I like all of them. I remember being 17 and wearing alot of black and hanging out with my friends blaring Danzig out the windows. Now, I'm turning thirty and when I listen to this cd it brings me back. This is one that stands the test of time. Back then, this was a very different style than what most bands were putting out. Still, its some of the best music of that era. Glenn has one of the more unique and distinct voices in music. His singing voice is good on both the ballads and the faster songs. There's not a bad one on this so its easily played all the way through.

My favorites are "Mother", "She Rides", "Twist of Cain" and "Soul on Fire." Danzig is a great band. A stellar first album!

Chances are if you were to ask someone if they know who Danzig is they would say this: "Who's Danzig?" That's the unfortunate answer that I get everytime I ask someone about it. Danzig is a must listen alblum. This is heavy metal unlike you have ever heard. The music isn't like that of Metallica or Slayer, Danzig has created their own sound on this alblum. The lyrics in Danzig are very ingenious and the way they are delivered with Glenn Danzig's unimistkeable voice will leave them etched in your mind. Danzig's sound is like a mix of metal and punk which can be attributed to Glenn Danzig's early years as being a notable figure in the punk music world. This alblum is a must for anyone who wants a metal alblum that delivers the goods.

Ex-Misfits lead singer Danzig, comes back from the grave with his first solo record. Danzig, attemps to do a "metal" album, which doesn't even sounds like a metal album. It's more of a gothic/pop-metal album. Ok, it has some metal influence on it. But the point is, this album rocks. It's catchy and dark too, what else could you ask for in a album. Danzig still has that Misfits touch to it by bringning gothic to the pop world. Best songs off this 1988 album are "Mother", "Am I Demon" and "She Rides". Classic 80's album to own.

Not quite MISFITS & not really SAMHAIN this album was DANZIGs attempt at reaching a broader audience. RICK RUBIN saw SAMHAIN performing & since he was trying to fill his DEF AMERICAN label with different acts, he decided to sign them up. I'm sure GLENN was pleased as punch, since this was the closest he had come to a major label signing & decided to give it a try. If you hear GLENN talk now it was one of the biggest mistakes he made (that & signing with HOLLYWOOD records after his stint with DEF AMERICAN) in his life. DANZIG's debut album is a powerful metal onslaught that only GLENN DANZIG could create. It's not thrash or punk but in some ways it's heavier than both without crossing over. Afterall most of the songs were originally written with SAMHAIN in mind but probably came out a hell of alot different than GLENN had originally planned. Wether it was RICK RUBIN's influence or DANZIG's own attempt to reach a wider audience is unknown. Either way the album works, forget about any hints of satanism & just get DANZIG for the music.

This album is a combination of blues, punk, psychedelic, thrash, and mixed with death metal elements. Glenn Danzig, the former leader of the punk legends The Misfits, reinvents his style as a darker and heavier sounding singer. The classic lineup of Danzig consisted of guitarrist John Christ, bassist Eerie Von and drummer Chuck Biscuits. Their debut album was produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin which you can tell that he did put his touches on it because of the great production this albm has. Danzig's voice can be described as Jim Morrison gone satanic, very melo blues like tone and dark. Every song has its own characteristical element from the famous single Mother, to a jazzy range of the She Rides, Twist of Cain and Am I Demon. Overall this album consisted of great riffs and solos, crunchy, funky basslines, and top rank drumming along with Danzigs melodic singinng style. If you want to start, start here and Danzig 3. Enjoy.

My original CD was cracked in half. Was able to get this replacement and enjoying the sounds of Glen Danzig again

Up there with "Never Mind the Bullocks Here's the Sex Pistols" , Black Sabbath "Paranoid" , L7 "Hungry for Stink", and White Zombie "La Sexorcisto." This album works as a whole; nothing is out of place--no filler--just 40 minutes of tough-as-nails, skull thumpin, brute happiness.

Glenn Danzigs new project after Samhain and Misfits finds him on a new venue, moving from punk and into the rockabilly-bluegrass-metal style. Danzigs vocal on Danzig sounds like an unholy mix of Elvis Presley and Jim Morrison. Danzig is using his vocal range much better than he did earlier, just listen to his diabolical low voice in Soul on Fire and End of Time. This album also include his (later) hit Mother.
All in all a very promising debut from Danzig. The music is a great mix. Danzigs "unholier than thou" attitude is entertaining, and I doubt many people take it seriously, exept fundemental christian groups(and maybe Glenn himself), but it is none the less an entertaining part of the act, adding to the atmosphere of the album.

I bought this album way back in 1988 when it was orginally released. Fourteen years later I still find myself coming back to this album and enjoying it as if it was new. Danzig is the Dark God of Metal. All the songs on the album are great. A must have for anyone who is a serious listener to the genre.