Racebannon/Sons of Zarathustra - Near & Far Vol. 2
(Level Plane)
Never has a split record been more split. Gross overstatement aside, the dichotomy presented on this record between intensity and violence on the one hand, and banality on the other, renders the record somewhat worthless. We should not, however, be discouraged. Nay, we should be heartened by the fact that Racebannon has other records we can embrace and enjoy (if that is the right word for something so freaky) and Sons of Zarathustra can be easily forgotten.
Interestingly, Racebannon's portion is even further split. We get "Waltz of El Diablo" parts I and II interspersed between "Satan's Kickin' Yr Dick In" parts IV and V (taken, apparently from the full length by the same lovely title). "Waltz of El Diablo" is a freeform exploration by rock and roll instruments (guitars, drums, some tapes), but is not formless. Centered around a pick scrape, it weaves its sine-wave path up and down through a morass of noise. Not incompetent, but not really something one wants to hear again and again. What "What Waltz of El Diablo" is not, however, is adequate preparation for what is to come.
"Satan's Kickin' Yr Dick In" is a furious explosion of rock and roll evil, relentlessly chugging, demonically wailing, and bizarrely shifting gears without warning. In cheap rock-crit speak, it's got the loose chaos and out of sync layered vocals of the Swell Maps, the speed of metal, and the heaviness of Soundgarden, back when they made good records. The music speeds up and slows down, jump-starts itself, then pulls back with a whiplash jolt. All the while, those crazy voices always ranting, ranting, ranting! This is not your Johnny Quest Race Bannon, this is the tied-up and fisted Race Bannon (search Race Bannon on Google and find out for yourself). It's completely crazy and absolutely fantastic.
Sadly, it's matched up with Sons of Zarathustra, who play loud and fast and angry and blah and blah and blah. It has the form but lacks the substance. Bottom line: skip this one and buy Racebannon's Satan's Kickin' Yr Dick In.
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