Customer Reviews

Legacy of Brutality [Vinyl]

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The fact is that "Static Age" was and still is the album that most of these songs were intended for. It's been well documented--- they recorded the album (which they intended to call "Bullet") and then had no way of distributing it. Time passed, no one had the money and they settled for putting out an EP--- remixing 4 of the songs (Bullet/We Are 138/Hollywood Babylon/Attitude)and releasing them as the BULLET EP instead. All 4 of the songs, plus a remixed version "Last Caress" were released 2 years later on the British "Beware" EP along with two of the three songs from their next EP (Horror Business).

All of the above mentioned songs were eventually split between Misfits (now known as Collection 1) in 1986 and Collection 2 in 1995. In the years before those compilations were released, the entire Misfits catalog except for the Earth A.D. album had gone out of print by 1985. Meanwhile, their cult status was growing even after they ceased to exist. To cash in, Danzig (who ran Plan 9 on his own) released "Legacy Of Brutality"--- terribly mixed versions of many "Static Age" album tracks that had never been released (plus the electric version of "She" and "Spinal Remains" which were cut at the sessions but not intended to be on the album itself). The album is rounded out by a few later tracks (Where Eagles Dare/Who Killed Marilyn/Halloween/American Nightmare) which also get the terrible mix.

Danzig has always had a thing for tampering with the past (see his recreation of "Cough/Cool" on Collection 2) but this is the worst mixing job I've heard as far as I'm concerned. The reason this was and remains so popular is (1) it was the first Misfits release on CD and (2) Most of these songs had never been released prior to this in their original form so there was nothing to compare them to. As for the four post-"Static Age" tracks, all of them except "American Nightmare" had been released on various singles and EP's but they were printed in such limited quantities that few people had heard them. As of now, the only thing essential about this album is "American Nightmare". Beyond that, you can find better mixes of all of these tracks elsewhere. I'm not siding with Jerry Only over Danzig on this either. In my opinion, he's authorized plenty of shoddy, unnecessary remixes as well. The best way for everyone involved to honor the Misfits legacy would be to issue the songs the way they were meant to be on one chronological collection. It wouldn't be difficult--- lengthy discography aside, the Misfits really don't have that many songs and besides the legitimate albums (Static Age, Walk Among Us and Earth AD), the only things that need to be heard are those EP tracks and a couple of obscurities. Even the box set has some questionable tracks--- it's missing "Walk Among Us" (an absolutely essential album) and attempts to make up for it by substituting inferior remixes of many of the tracks (that one is at least understandable because they apparently don't own that album themselves).

The "Static Age" album was finally relased as it was originally intended on the box set in 1996 and as it's own disc the following year. After listening to it, I came to the conclusion that I never needed to hear "Legacy" again. Many people continue to praise this album as if they are alternate recordings to that first album but no...this is nothing but studio tampering. Why tamper with an album that doesn't need to be fixed? If he wanted to make the songs better, he failed miserably. This sounds so muddy compared to the original tapes that it's not even funny. The sickest thing is that Danzig got what he wanted--- by distorting the past, people now actually believe this to be a "real" album. I understand why some fans like this album because they grew up hearing this under the impression that it was an album in and of itself. Ultimately, he conned his own fans. When the revamped version of the band regained the rights to use the name, they did the same damn thing.

Unless you're a die-hard, skip this and instead go with "Static Age, "Walk Among Us" and the Collections. With the exception of a couple tracks on Collection 2 that have been tampered with, you'll hear what the original Misfits really sounded like. I think I'm being overly generous giving this one three stars but I'm doing so out of respect for the songs themselves, not the versions contained here.

Discography that is essential:
Cough Cool / She (organ version) 7" (both on box set disc 3)
Static Age + 3 outtakes (on the Static Age CD)
Bullet/Beware EP's (remixed from Static Age-- split between Collections 1 and 2)
Horror Business EP (split between Collections)
Night Of The Living Dead EP ( split between Collection 2 and Disc 3 on box set)
Three Hits From Hell EP (split between Collections)
Who Killed Marilyn?/Spook City USA 7" (solo Danzig single but sounds a lot like the Misfits--- out of print but on bootlegs)
Halloween / Halloween II 7" (both on Collection 2)
Walk Among Us (entire album)
Evilive (EP expanded into an album--- badly recorded but as a relic of the original live Misfits, it's worth a listen)
Earth AD (entire album)
Die, Die My Darling EP (on Earth A.D. CD and split between Collections)

So I started listening to the Misfits with Earth A.D. around 1985 and I thought that was the bomb. Around 86, I was able to get my hands on Legacy of Brutality. I think I listened to this record every day for years. Legacy of Brutality is the first Misfits record (yes record, I've got an original pressing) that I pick up even to this day.

From a historical perspective, Legacy of Brutality is really what a lot of people think when they think Misfits. This record basically defined them because it was the first full length LP you could buy (at least where I lived). Everything else was either bootlegs or EP like Die, Die, My Darling.

All the stuff on the new releases like Static Age, I only had as bootleg vinyl and it was tough to listen to on a regular basis becuase the quality was so bad. I don't know where I'd come down if I just heard the Misfits today. All I can say is that there is no other record that defines the Misfits more than Legacy of Brutality. On top of that songs like Attitude, Bullet, Last Caress, Die Die My Darling, London Dungeon, etc.. really fit in with the sound of Legacy of Brutality more so than the stuff from Earth A.D. So I'd say if you really wanted to capture the Misfits from both a musical and historical perspective, there's no better place to start than Legacy of Brutality.

For me, few albums ring with nostalgia like "Legacy of Brutality." I know that "Static Age" is a little more definitive, but I heard "Legacy of Brutality" first. It has the more familiar versions to me. This is the band at their rockabilliy best, before the disastrous move towards metal. Good catchy pop music with great hooks and lyrics. Excellent tunes include "Hybrid Moments," "Angelfuck," "Who killed Marilyn," and "American Nightmare."

For people who have never heard the Misfits before, this is a good starting place. A true classic for the years.

Misfits fans tend to be divided on this album, especially since the release of Static Age. More than half of these tracks date back to the original Static Age sessions and were not released prior to this album, albeit with slightly different instrument tracks and mixes. (After the band split Danzig went back with Eerie Von and re-recorded alot of the instrument tracks, the result being a big, full-sounding heavy drum and guitar sound, with almost zero bass and big, reverb drenched vocal tracks). Most fans tend to favor the newer Static Age LP versions, with a more punkish production (ie: punchy bass and a tight compact copressed tone). I like both versions but I REALLY love the LOB mixes, they sound much cleaner and LOUDER, and Glenn's vocals come out much more clear and refined than they do on SA, which, to me, sounds more amateurish and dated.

Even if you prefer the ST Age versions you cannot pass on this LP, the version of Halloween on this album tops all other versions available and it also contains what I feel to be the Misfits greatest song "American Nightmare" (one Glenn claims was recorded during the Walk Among Us Sessions), truly indispensible.

This album also appears in its entirity (tho scattered here and there) on the Coffin Box Set, but if you're putting that one off, you could do alot worse by not getting this. It, to me, is a much better choice than Collection 1 or 2; but everyone seems to disagree with me on that. They can all burn in hell, this album is one of the best.

This album is the home to a bunch of really good songs. It doesn't matter that the lyrics are incomprehensible; you can get them off the internet or something. The only problem with this album is that the recording is horrible. You can barely even hear the drums and guitars. When I listen to it, I really do feel like I am in a "static age". Still, it is worth buying. Here is how I would rank the songs from best to worst: Angelf**k, Hybrid Moments, Halloween, She, Where Eagles Dare, Who Killed Marilyn?, Some Kinda Hate, TV Casualty, American Nightmare, Static Age, Spinal Remains, Come Back, Theme For A Jackal.

I bought this CD before the Static Age album was available. Some of my favorite Misfits songs are on here. "Static Age", "TV Casualties", "Bullet", "Angelf**k", and "Who killed Marilyn" are staples in every Fiends collection. If you do not have the Static Age album, this is a great album to get. If you already have Static Age, you may still want to pick this up. Fans have said the songs on this album are more raw, it is true. This is what the Misfits sounded like when they got 30 free hours in a studio when they gave up their rights to the 'Blank Records' name. A smart move by Glenn. Otherwise these songs may never have been recorded except for bootlegs at live shows or garage recordings.

The only other thing I can say is, if you spend a lot of time driving and delivering pizzas like I do, this is a great CD to play.

Lots of people compare Legacy of Brutality unfavorably to Static Age and I'm not sure why. Maybe because SA features the original versions of many Misfits classics and fans regard LOB as a bid to cash-in by releasing new recordings of those old tunes. Neither album has great production but each is good in its own way: Static Age has a compact, punchy sound while Legacy has a bigger, more reverb-y sound. I like them both, and Legacy of Brutality's very distinct, '50's rockabilly vibe contrasts nicely with the band's horror lyrics and imagery. By both albums and listen for yourself.

Alright, lets lay it all out on the table first. I love the 'Fits. Favorite band. period. This, however, is not the best example of their work. For those of you who don't know, "Legacy" is comprised mainly of cuts from the "Static Age" recording session that hadn't gotten to see the light of day, as well as a few from their later career. Some great tracks were released for the first time on this album. "Some Kinda Hate" is fantastic, "Theme for a Jackle" is classically atmospheric, and "Hybrid Moments" should be the new national anthem. As an added bonus, the album also features a great version of "Where Eagles Dare", "Halloween", "Who Killed Marylin", and "American Nightmare" (great song, has a psycho-Elvis feel to it, and the handclaps are priceless). What could be wrong with it, you ask? Well, for one thing, the recording quality bites. It sounds like they laid it down in Danzig's basement, using a hand-held casset recorder. Also, for a casual fan, it's largely unneccessary considering that Caroline records released a remastered "Static Age" in its entirety (with bonus tracks!!!!) a few years ago. This is a much better and more complete album; required listening for all true classic punk fans. In short, I would consider "Legacy" to be the 'Fits weakest album (and yes, that IS including their new releases, which I am quite fond of, thank you). A must-have for the hardcore Fiend, but if you're just getting into the Danzig-era stuff, I'd start with "Static Age", "Walk Among Us", and the Collections.

this album is great. it has all the classics,but i would either but it, or static age, but not both. If you are a new 'fits fan, go for collection one also. they are all great. best son g in my opinion is spinal remains. (MISFITS should not have reformed.)

these songs where recorded during the static age sessions, these are the other versions of the songs on static age, get both.