Let me admit right up front that I'm a purist. I've
had trouble admitting that any Christian Death album
that doesn't feature Rozz Williams is truly deserving
of the moniker. That said "American Inquisition"
goes a long way toward changing my mind. Vocalist/guitarist
Valor Kand has written an album that reaches back
to the deathrock roots Christian Death was known for
even before his entry into the band, and creates the
best Christian Death album released in many years.
While many Valor-era CD albums have sounded a bit
like stale, goth-esque metal albums, "American
Inquisition" delivers true goth sounds from the
opening note. "Water Into Wine" creates
a creepy ambience using a military style snare drum
mixed with violins and surprisingly rich vocals. "Dexter
Said No To Methadone" and "Angels And Drugs"
are amazing tracks. Each is unsettling both musically
and lyrically, yet impossible to turn off.
While the music on "American Inquisition"
is awesome it's the lyrics that can be a bit of a
let down. "Worship Along the Nile," with
it's female lead vocal, uses every possible cliche
using the term kitty kat for the female anatomy. It
quickly becomes tiresome. Even though the album is
billed as a concept album about a possible right wing
9-11 conspiracy, very few tracks make any reference
to this topic. A few other tracks bash conservative
morality and organized religion. While I would expect
this from a Christian Death album, I find that lyrics
comprised of a string of cliches are barely a worthwhile
listen.
Still, a few questionable tracks aren't enough to
dissuade me from giving this album its due. Tracks
like "The Last Thing" and "Seduction
Thy Destruction" bring back the spirit of deathrock
in a way few of today's radio ready goth bands can
match. Valor has emerged as a first rate songsmith,
finally showing what he's capable of. "American
Inquisition" is good enough to bring a smile
to your pasty goth face.
Key Tracks: "Dexter Said No To Methadone"
and "Angels And Drugs"
Reviewed by Jim McDonald |
