Vim Fuego
Jello Biafra and Al Jourgensen have both created so many worthwhile musical projects. Biafra fronted the Dead Kennedys, one of the most influential US punk bands of all time, and has involved himself with a number of other musical and non-musical projects. Jourgensen is the twisted genius behind Ministry, Revolting Cocks, 1000 Homo DJs and who knows what else. With such a record behind them, it made perfect sense for the two to combine, as they do flawlessly here.
This album just reels off one great song after another. Yes, it sounds a bit like Ministry, but it’s definitely not a Ministry album. “Forkboy”, “Pineapple Face”, “Bozo Skeleton”, “Mate, Spawn & Die” all motor along in a straightforward thrash fashion. A cover of “They're Coming To Take Me Away” bounces along cheerfully, as an ode to the brighter side of mental illness, only to have the whimsical mood ground into the dirt by the relentless plodding of “I Am Your Clock”.
As ever with Jello Biafra, there is a dark lyrical bent throughout the album. “Drug Raid at 4am” covers the lack of respect shown for innocent people in the war on drugs. “Can God Fill Teeth?” takes a humorous swipe at conspiracy theorists and Big Brother. The music backs off enough to let Jello flow on one of his legendary rants, about everything and nothing, before kicking into a manic electric drill frenzy. “I Am Your Clock” is another Big Brother song, this time analysing modern society and it's controls on the common man.
Only Jello Biafra could have written a song like “Sylvestre Matuschka”, a true story of a psychopath who gained sexual gratification from blowing up trains.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this album is that it was recorded in 1990, but still sounds fresh. This is an album most metal fans can enjoy, without realising quite how twisted it is. By then though, it doesn’t really matter, because you’re hooked.