Customer Reviews

Death Before Musick

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

 

 

I'm not much of a fan of the whole "punk" genre, but I've been a fan of Amen since I heard Snot's "Get Some" the first time; And ever since then, I've kept my ears and eyes open for a new album from them. It's taken a bit of time, but here it is, and it's definitely worth the $12. The CD stays true to their low-fi sound, with grinding guitars and biting social commentary from Casey Chaos; I don't know where anyone would get that amen is one person, with a touring band-- there are credits for a whole band in the liner notes, but opinions aside, this CD is worth your money if you're willing to subject yourself to something as brutish and solid as Amen.

Originally formed in 1994 by Casey Chaos (formerly of DISORDERLY CONDUCT and a short stint with CHRISTION DEATH), AMEN have endured a tumultuous history with band members coming and going, a brutal conflict with one of their former record labels and of course, the need for side projects to be fulfilled. To think, during all of this chaos, they managed to put out four albums. Two under major labels like Roadrunner and Virgin and two with limited pressings of two thousand a piece. Currently, their former guitarist is with LO PRO and their drummer is presently with GODSMACK. What's left of that band is Casey Chaos and Acey Slade (DOPE and MURDERDALLS) filling in on guitar for a 2004 tour. With all that drama, it's hard to fathom how anyone would be willing to settle down and record new material. Casey Chaos accomplished such a feat and those who loved their previous material won't be disappointed with this effort either. If Casey Chaos was known for his angst and anti-social sentiment before, the new album "Death before Musick" is just an extension of his personal hatred towards all things governed, the music industry as a whole and all the injustices in life. This album serves as a political platform for a view that only Casey Chaos could devise. And what better way to deliver this manifesto then through rocked edged punk and roll? This is exactly what you will get with this album; thrashing beats, heavily distorted guitars, rolling rhythms and vocals that have a similar quality to Jello Biafra (DEAD KENNEDYS) and Jonny Rotten (SEX PISTOLS). This wasn't a regular punk offering nor was it a rock and roll, retro album but an intoxicating mixture of the two stitched in place by a hardcore bravado. If you want to hear something that pays respect to the forefathers of punk but with a contemporary vibe, be sure to check out "Death before Musick."

Amen is in no way a new band. They've been around for years. They have had many lineup changes yet they still manage to keep that unique, genre-breaking sound. Some say they are not punk. Im not one who cares for genres but their lyrics and rage are all about punk in my opinion. Their music screams at you and has a nice metal touch to it. This is punk at its heaviest form. I recommend any of their 3 albums but i think this is their best to come yet.

It's not like Amen frontman Casey Chaos ever needed a reason to be pissed off. But I'm sure four years in the hole, without a label, unable to release a new album, sure provided the fuel for the fire that is "Death Before Musick." Released last year through eatURmusic, the Columbia imprint run by System Of A Down guitarist Daron Malakian, Amen's latest album marks a complete line-up change, leaving Chaos to be the only consistent force in Amen.

Chaos sounds just as passionate as ever, and even uses his experience to dig into some hooks, displayed on tracks like "Hello (One Chord Lovers)" and "California's Bleeding." The band themselves sound just as strong, although they can't hold a candle to the musicians that filled the seats before. Despite the political unrest in the past few years, most of the material sounds rather indifferent, focusing on age old pet peeves like poverty and religion. Which can be taken both as a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing, it doesn't date the album in any way, but the bad part is that Chaos seems to be spitting venom for no reason. There's nothing worse than anger that has no purpose (take Slipknot's "Iowa" for example). Regardless, "Death Before Musick" is a brisk, brutal and raw affair.

Funny enough, the new line-up of Amen was abolished less than a year later, and since the album didn't exactly reach a broader audience (depsite the muscle behind it) I can only see more troubled waters ahead for Amen. But hey, I guess that's a good thing, huh? Casey Chaos' frustration sure makes for good music, and "Death Before Musick" proves that. Amen stay consisent, despite changes, and this will no doubt appeal to fans of previous efforts.

This album "Death Before Musick", is almost as great as their debut and i think in some ways it betters "We've Come For Your Parents". Amen have been around for about 11 years now, and they still haven't changed their attitude. Their attitude being one of hostility, with hate-filled lyrics and Casey Chaos giving his all in every song and every Live performance. Amen are a band that deserve praise and respect, and yet don't seem to really get it. Some people think they sound the same as every other "Punk/Rock/Metal" band out there..but it's not true. I can think of no band that sound like Amen, or another band who has the same kind of energy and attitude about them.

This album is alot more "Punkier" than their other albums i think, yet still maintains the heaviness that they've always had. The band line-up has changed on this album, and i heard rumours that this album at one stage, wasn't going to be made and that Amen were to break up. Fortunately they didn't, and this album was made and Casey Chaos found 4 other (Pretty much unheardof..) musicians to fill the vacancies left by the previous band members. Now the line-up is Casey Chaos (Vocals), Luke Johnson (Drums), Scott S. Sorry (Bass), Matt Montgomery (Guitars) and Rich Jones..who was used to be in a band called "The Black Halos"..on Guitars also. For any fans who thought Amen would never be the same again after the previous members had left, be prepared for the new Amen. This Amen, i won't say is 'better', but they do sound alot 'newer' in many ways. And alot more 'Punk'.

The songs on this album are definitely full of angst, and has enough adrenaline flowing in and out of every song to make each song on this CD stand out and grab your attention fully. If you know Amen, and have got their previous 2 albums, then you know pretty much what to expect. Songs such as "Liberation For...", "Hello (One Chord Lovers)", "California's Bleeding", "The Abolishment of Luxury", "Money Infection", "Westwood Fallout", "Oblivion Stereo", "Please Kill Me", "Neutron Liars", "F*ck in L.A" and the awesome 4 minute finisher "The Summer of Guns", have such an energy about them that you really just can't be disappointed with this album.

Songs like "Oblivion Stereo", "The Abolishment of Luxury", "EXTERMINATE!", "We Got The Bait", "Sorry, Not Sorry", "Bring Me The Heads" and "F*ck in L.A", all have the 'Punk'-type feel to them. Casey Chaos was influenced by 70's and 80's Punk-Rock and Metal bands like, Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop and Black Flag..And even notes Black Metal as an influence. And all but the Black Metal influence shows on those particular songs. This whole album has a sort of 'Metal'/'Punk', attitude-driven energy about it.

The final song "The Summer of Guns" is one of the greatest Amen songs ever, in my opinion. It's definitely one of my favourites, and ends this excellent album perfectly. Amen tend to have a really good, and powerful, song at the end, and it works as it leaves it on a high note. "The Summer of Guns" definitely does that.

Amen are a truly great Punk/Metal band that, if you're into that sort of music especially, you really need to check out if you haven't already. They've taken their influences and developed a different sound and attitude, that really isn't like any other band out there right now, despite what some of these reviewers who give their albums a 1 star review say.

Casey Chaos is annoyed his band have been dropped from there label he is funding the album on his own dime sometimes he plays with a band sometimes just with his guitarist. Why the hell is this album as good as it is, I was expecting a badly recorded piece of noise with no verse structure. Yes Casey Chaos is annoyed but can you blame him, it appears the more annoyed he is the catchier the music this album has hooks and it may get stuck in your head just don't try and sing the lyrics in public down walmart they may throw you out because they sure as hell would not carry this cd but you can buy a gun from there. I have been a Amen fan for a long time but it took ages for his last effort to grow on me, but he has excelled himself yes a little bit more musical variation could be achieved but an overall solid effort. Anyone who says this is not punk what is punk , punk means nothing today , it is a marketing slogan that is applied to anything. This is not soft music it's brutal it's ugly its sleazy and you need a shower after listening to it you cannot almost smell blood sweat and passion. Oh yeah please please release your side project with Daron from SOAD

amen has yet to dissapoint me, and to me this is their best work yet. this album is much more dynamical than s/t and parents but just as heavy. though all songs are great my favorite at the momment are westwood fallout,hello and money infection. songs like we got the bait, and the abolishment of luxury are remeniscent to disorderly conduct, and songs like oblivion stereo and sorry not sorry remind me a bit of slave. all songs tie in well, truely amazing.this is what punk rock was meant to be

Hands Down, Amen is one of the best bands to grace the world of punk music in the last 25 years. The edge that pushed punk bands of the eighties into now classics for our generation is the same edge Amen possess. This album is a bit different than the last two in my opinion, but great none the less. As far as I'm concerned anything that has anything to do with Casey Chaos is bound for revolution and gauranteed to be a great listen. Also ex-black halos guitar player Rich Jones presence only adds to the brilliance. If your a fan of real punk music, or rock n roll, this album is truely a must, as well as Amens last two albums.

I love Amen's self-titled album from 99'(its not their debut people! Slave is the first amen cd). We've come for your parents wasnt as good as the self-titled but it was ok. Death before Musick answers the question "Is Amen mostly Metal or Punk?" Its not amazing but its sure is angry, pissed off Punk rock with a hard edge. Best songs on the cd are Please Kill Me, California's Bleeding and Liberation for...The lyrics are still kind of dumb and dont make sense even though they get the message across and if you like Amen you know what I'm talking about. Rock bar chords are in abundance on this cd and they are very familiar but this is still a fun cd to jump around or drive to. I only gave it 4 stars b/c it still sounds very similar to older Amen(i.e. no new ground as far as the music goes) But to Amen fans: Go buy it...it sure as hell beats any of the mainstream whiny ass emo-rock that is still spreading like the plague. If you can get the Join or Die uk tour cd. Its all the songs they wrote for a new album that was supposed to come out in 2002-2003. Thats 45 mins of unheard amen songs....you'll have difficulty getting it though. Rock on!

Oh I seeee, its a SPOOF of a punk band.

Sorry I only just got it.