Customer Reviews

Violent Years

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

 

 

Okay, some reviews complain about how unoriginal the Black Halos may seem, but I think they're the perfect tonic to all of these "Punk: The Next Generation" wanker bands (Blink 182 arrgh!)who think punk started and ended with the Sex Pistols and Bad Religion. Yes, the Black Halos clearly owe a lot of their sound to the Stooges, New York Dolls and the Dead Boys, but compared to the sludge of California 'punk' bands who all sound the same and are deified by 14-year-old skaters, they are sorely needed. The Violent Years harkens back to the glorious New York punk scene where Chuck Taylor sneakers and leather jackets were abound and not a pair of Vans or baggy shorts in sight. The lyrics are caustic, critical of the B.S. seen in the'alternative' decade (the '90s) and celebrating alcohol, sex and general carousing in the best punk tradition. The Black Halos and other "uninspiring" bands like the Donnas and the Smugglers breathe vitality back into a music subculture that is saturated with mediocre bands.

When all your other CD's hide you know that you have a classic on the stereo.

The Black Halos second CD is tighter than their first. Production is superb. Jack Endino is the sixth Halo it seems, and that is a damn good thing.

After rounding up the rest of your CD's you'll be pleased that rawk 'n' roll is still being made with you in mind as The Black Halos don't forget to please from beginning to end.

Highlights include 50 Bourbon St., Jane Doe, and Some Things Never Fall. Luckily this band is back together again and will release a new CD soon (2005).

my purchase of the violent years was based solely on the 3 occasions on which i had the extreme pleasure of seeing the black halos play live... loud, abrasive, ... oldschool band which plasters a happy grin on my liddle face whilst my throat becomes raw from screaming along to the lyrics. Billy Hopeless' just-woke-up-and-smoked-a-pack-of-marlboros rasp is a perfect complement to the ferociously tight punk produced by these guys. As soon as you hear the first track, your soul will be sold.

you people are crazy! this album rocks! just listen to Some things never fall or Jane Doe! When I played those songs for my friend he was like "OH MY GOD! MORE BLACK HALOS!" The Black Halos rock.

This album is great. I do think that the self titled is a little better, but this is great none the less. Billy's vocals are so fitting for the style, I couldn't picture anyone else singing these songs. Listen to the song "JANE DOE". NOW

Greg xxx

This CD is very bad. I didn't find any of the songs unique or enthralling. I gave it a few listens, but the Vocals are annoying and harsh and the music is very repetitive. A smart move would be to find a new singer. I suppose this band is influenced by the New York Dolls and Stiv Bators, but Johnny and Stiv would not be impressed. Don't quit your day jobs Black Halos!