SUICIDAL TENDENCIES — The Art of Rebellion (review)

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES — The Art of Rebellion album cover

Album · 1992 · Alternative Metal

4/5 · 2024-08-23
UMUR

"The Art of Rebellion" is the fifth full-length studio album by US, California based crossover/thrash metal act Suicidal Tendencies. The album was released through Epic Records in June 1992. It´s the successor to "Lights, Camera, Revolution" from 1990 and features one lineup change since the predecessor as drummer R.J Herrera has left. He hasn´t been permamently replaced and therefore the drums are recorded by session drummer Josh Freese.

While "Lights, Camera, Revolution (1990)" proved to be a very successful release for Suicidal Tendencies (both artistically and commercially), "The Art of Rebellion" ended up being their most commercially successful release (they are still active, so they still have time to top it, but I doubt it). It´s not like all sails weren´t set to achive that though, as being signed to a major label like Epic Records, meant there was money to hire prolific producer Peter Collins (Rush, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi...etc.). As a result "The Art of Rebellion" is a very well produced release, featuring both power and a wealth of details and layers.

Stylistically the material on "The Art of Rebellion" is quite different in style to the material on "Lights, Camera, Revolution (1990)". The funky bass playing by Robert Trujillo is explored even further on this album and lead vocalist Mike Muir sings more high pitched and melodic than before. Summed up this is probably more a funk infused alternative heavy rock/metal album than a thrash metal ditto, although the band occasionally touch thrash/crossover territory.

"The Art of Rebellion" opens with "Can't Stop", which is in part both a soft and a relatively hard edged track. It opens with Muir softly singing over acoustic guitars and a soaring guitar lead from Rocky George, before it explodes in a tense building section featuring speed talking by Muir. Ultimately the main riff heavy vers/chorus section of the song kicks in and the conclusion is that it´s an immediate highlight of the album. It´s one of the few tracks on "The Art of Rebellion", which could have been featured on "Lights, Camera, Revolution (1990)". "Accept My Sacrifice" follows and it´s a heavy and funky track, which works really well. The opening trio of tracks conclude with the melancholic power ballad "Nobody Hears", which along with "Can't Stop" is my pick for THE highlights of the album. Everyting is well composed and well performed in that track, but I have to mention the stellar guitar work from George as something really special. His guitar harmonies and leads are nothing short of exquisite.

From then on the album is a little more standard quality with less standout tracks, but the remaining part of the album still features high quality material and the sound and style of the music are unique. You won´t find anything anywhere which sounds like the music on this album, and originality should always be praised. Personally I could have wished for more thrash metal riffs, crossover hardcore aggression, and more variation in pace (most tracks are mid-paced and only few feature faster paced sections), but as a listener I just have to respect that "The Art of Rebellion" is a different type of beast from the previous releases by the band, and that at this point Suicidal Tendencies wanted to make something a little more melodic and accessible, and they ultimately succeeded in doing that. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.