### Suicidal Tendencies: No mercy fool! / The suicidal family

#### 04/01/11 || InquisitorGeneralis

Suicidal Tendencies is keepin’ it real, I must admit. Most people know them due to the moderate airplay and attention received by “Institutionalized” which lumped Suicidal Tendencies in with other groups that were considered crossover thrash/rap/metal. Remember, this is when Anthrax released “Bring the noise”, the “Judgment Night” soundtrack was hot, and Rage Against the Machine was just starting to bring the hate against the man. However, the Tendencies were not, and still are not, a one trick pony and their real sound was much more thrashy and punky than the masses were led to believe.

Normally, I do not like rerecorded shit. Exodus’ recent redo of “Bonded by Blood” sucked a dick. Anthrax’s rerecording of classic 80’s material with John Bush on vox were ok at best but nothing special. “No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family” is a combination of rerecorded material from the bands early demos and records along with songs by Suicidal side project No Mercy; a punk band featuring Clark and Muir. This record is ok at best and certainly not up the high bar set by the band’s late 80’s, early 90’s material. “Lights, Camera…Revolution” is a record of extreme awesomeness that the Tendencies will never be able to top.

However, there are a few tracks on here that gives this bitch some redeeming value. First and foremost being “No mercy fool!”, a killer track with varying tempos, a good solo, and an über-cathcy section where the band shouts let’s bring it home now! to signal a change from punky blasting into the previous mentioned, and highly enjoyable, solo that finishes things up. Unfortunately, no other song on here as the same staying power. Nothing sucks, but nothing stands out either. You can listen to this all the way through easily, but you won’t remember anything as much as “No mercy fool!”.

Let’s bring it home now!

This is not bad, but a fresh record of new material would have been more worthwhile. I am happy that Suicidal Tendencies are still kicking and I will always be a huge fan of the band. I just really want them to find that thrash metal/skater g-spot that they tickled with “Lights, Camera… Revolution”. It seems that Suicidal Tendencies are sliding back deeper into the punk realm. I want heavier riffs, a return of double bass drumming, and longer, more intricate songs dammit! Mike Muir still sounds good and can deliver his signature hardcore/sneer vocals so that is a plus. The skill and sound of the band is not the issue; I just want newer, heavier songs!

My allegiance however, is unwavering even with this slight, unnecessary miss-step. Suicidal Tendencies can do better and when a record of new material comes out I expect them to.

- Information
- Released: 2010
- Label: Suicidal Records
- Website: www.suicidaltendencies.com
- Band
- Mike “Cyco Miko” Muir: vocals
- Dean Pleasants: guitar
- Mike Clark: guitar
- Steve Brunner: bass
- Eric Moore: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Suicidal Maniac
- 02. Possessed to Skate
- 03. The Prisoner
- 04. I Feel Your Pain…And I Survive
- 05. Join the S.T. Army
- 06. No Name, No Words
- 07. Born to Be Cyco
- 08. Come Alive
- 09. Something Inside Me
- 10. No Mercy Fool!
- 11. We’re F’n Evil
- 12. Crazy But Proud (No Mercy cover)
- 13. I’m Your Nightmare (No Mercy cover)
- 14. Widespread Bloodshed… Love Runs Red (No Mercy cover)