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Class 6(66)
Danzig: Danzig
09/03/09 || Daemonomania
Released: 1988
Introduction
This album has been covered on GD before by the venerable Ryan Samuel, but popular opinion is that it should be Class 666’ed. And who better to do that than yours truly? Yep, I took my pseudonym from an old Misfits song. And for all intents and purposes, most of us wouldn’t have heard those classic Misfits albums without the success of Danzig. The first disc features the essential Hellvis lineup and is one of those musical milestones that barely need an introduction – if you know metal chances are you’ve come across it. Yes, that is a direct challenge to all dem sluts who don’t own the first four albums by New Jersey’s most evil resident. I’m telling you… you don’t know metal. Go ahead, get offended.
Songwriting
7. Basic, rocking, and for the most part good. Take Ozzy-era Black Sabbath, add some AC/DC, throw in a keyboard here and there and presto! You’ve got a casserole! Nope, wrong recipe. Presto! You’ve got timeless numbers like big dumb opener “Twist of Cain”, stripper-tastic “She rides,” cool and mysterious “Soul on fire,” fist-pumping anthem “Mother”, and ballkicking closer “Evil thing”. Serve warm with cheap beer, friends, broads, and a pool table.
Production
8. Yep, Rick Rubin hard at work again, producing a slightly muffled but appropriate mix. Danzig’s voice at the forefront as usual. I’ve heard people call this a vocal showcase where the rest of the instruments don’t matter, and while that’s a valid criticism there’s no doubt that the rest of the band is heard in all their simplistic glory. Oh, and this was recorded at Chung King Studios in NYC – used to do metal there but now it is all rap and R&B. Still, I know a dude that works at Chung King and he’s cool. So add a point.
Guitars
6. Eh, John “Crispy” Christ had some work to do. On “Lucifuge” it looks like he’d had some lessons in soloing and stuff, but here he’s content to pump out the rudimentary rockin’ riffs.
Vocals
9. If you don’t dig Danzig’s Elvis meets Jim Morrison meets seductive demonpenis style, don’t even think about it. Drop it, buster. Step away from the torrent. Anyhoo, back in the day Glen was the man. If you’ve ever actually heard his speaking voice, he sounds like a complete fucking nerd. And now all that’s left of his once powerful croon is a tortured rasp. In the brief window between the inception of the Misfits and the end of “IV”, however, you could count on him for a commanding performance. “Danzig” introduced himself to the heavy metal world. And it was gooooood.
Oh and I just found out that James Hetfield supposedly provided backing vocals on a few tracks, but wasn’t credited because of contractual items. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Bass
4. Ummmm, don’t really recall the bass doing anything special. But the dude’s name is Eerie Von! So I will reward him with a brass shield granting four extra hit points. May this shield defend him against the orc armies of Irrumia!
Drums
5. Again, your family need not worry about rambling letters you’ve written home concerning the drumwork on a Danzig album. But the dude’s name is Chuck Biscuits! And he played on the live Social Distortion album! Perhaps, with his 5-hit-point-removing spear, he could accompany Eerie Von on his quest to rescue Princess Ballgag?
Lyrics
8. The lyrics on Danzig I probably don’t deserve an 8, but I love ‘em anyway. If I had a nickel for every time I said, “twist of Cain-o, yeah, inside my brain-o,” well, I’d have a shitload of nickels. I would be able to nickel-plate my firearms easily. The Judo Master would go on to pen much more involved Satanic content, but nothing’s horribly wrong with blood pouring on the ground, sand running down people’s backs, banging heads, and emptiness in yer eyes. The one song with truly bad lyrics, “The hunter,” is an Albert King cover so no fault upon the midget.
Cover art
10. This cover is just right. Half a cool demon skull with the band’s signature font below. Black and white. Good and evil. Weeellllll and heeeeyyyy. Doesn’t hurt that the album is the band name – saves space and reduces clutter.
Logo
7. You know it. You love it.
Booklet
5. Pretty average, as I recall. The rest of the demon skull is on the back cover, and then there’s some lyrics and notes inside. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Overall and ending rant
7. With the live video for “Mother ’94”, the career of the most iniquity stuffed into a small punching bag was born. While the performances of everyone else except Danzig would get better as time went on, and some of the tunes are hit or miss, there’s a primal statement of intent manifested on “Danzig”. We’re here, drink beer, get used to it. If your brain hurts from dizzying time changes, gravity blasts, and pig squeals come relax with some elemental doom ‘n roll. Enduring stuff.
