DEATHCYCLE "S/T" (Chainsaw Safety) Review by Jordan A. Baker
Just when you think the days of good crusty, mangled, hardcore punk rock may be on the wane, a band like DEATHCYCLE emerges, firing off verbal haymakers, and giving the d-beat a new shot of adulation. This New York City group features current and former members of KILL YOUR IDOLS (Paul Delaney and Gary Bennett), as well as Ron Grimaldi on vocals, a longtime veteran of the area. Rather than plowing forward with only one speed, DEATHCYCLE draw heavily on the band's NYHC background, and slow, bruising breakdowns exist side-by-side with neck-snapping rhythms and filthy guitar riffs. The real deal with DEATHCYCLE however is in the band's tear your face off lyrics which confront everything from complacency at the Republican National Committee having their nominating convention in NYC ("We were out on the streets - where were you? Sitting home, had better things to do?"), to substance abuse ("Why do you use? Do you abuse? Is it because it's fun, or to numb all your problems?.... I know life's problems are hard to take but you can't solve them until you get straight!"), and the more pedestrian topics of corporate greed and religious "mind control." If POISON IDEA was a bit less depressing, and FROM ASHES RISE toned down the thrash, I think this would be the result - and a mighty fine one at that!
