THE ELECTRIC HELLFIRE CLUB
Empathy For The Devil
There's no reason why you cannot celebrate Halloween all year 'round, as many of us already aesthetically do - the very cover depicts what one would expect to see on a Halloween effects album, which initially drew Me to it in particular in the first place, as I'm always looking for Hallows tunes - jaunty, eerie, silly, or serious.
A smiling Jack-o-Lantern adorns the cover, placed on the customized EHC Baphomet. Inside, elucidating liner notes, a veritable essay & evolutionary prognostication by Reverend Thomas Thorn, as to the future development of the band.
Here, some of the all-time classics of infamy are covered in a playfully diabolical way, from horror movies to devilish Heavy Metal & Gothic bands demonized by xoids, which ignited much of the furor in the highly satanophobic 80's.
Disc One1. Sympathy For The Devil
The Rolling Stones classic, said to be the first Rock'N'Roll song to fully anknowledge The Prince of Darkness as Lucifer, "Minister of Music" --- the song to which a veritable sacrifice, a blood ritual baptism occurred in Altamont, CA, where Hell's Angels took their prey.
2. Killing The Arab
Cover of a Cure song based on an interpretation of a novel entitled "The Stranger" by Albert Camus; which may also vent against Circle-K or 7-11 vendors, or Middle-Eastern oil embargos.3. Highway To Hell
AC/DC classic which celebrates the indulgent & passionate ride to the swirling Abyss, & was also a favorite of The Nightstalker Richard Ramirez, & Myself. Do the bells toll for thee?4. Shout At The Devil
A headbanging good time is promised with this one, with a delighful twist; a cavalcade of sounds. The original recording is also part of My collection.5. Devil Inside
Underrated song by INXS, which reminds that the Devil is indeed "within every single one of us..." - the Lust of Life, lest humanimality forget...Michael Hutchins, singer for INXS, killed himself in an auto-erotic attempt to an incredible neo-necrogasm. For this, I can see the image of Hutchins crucified, with the name of the band written above the cross, in place of "INRI".
Disc 21. Halloween Medley {first time on CD} / 2. Halloween Theme
A familiar variation written by John Carpenter for his landmark movie by the same name. Before this release, this Halloween medley became a Samhein regular at shows. Just as eerie, with a drumbeat added.3. Incubus
From 'Kiss The Goat' {this Author's favorite EHC release}, which I came into possession under a red night sky, 'Incubus' is the lingam kundalini unleashed upon the ethers by the Passions of Pan & Priapus.4. Bela Lugosi's Dead
A Bauhaus cover - gives recognition to one of the progenitors of Gothic Rock, & a tribute to the silver screen's most infamous horror actor who played the most infamous horror character, Dracula. Lugosi so personafied the portrayal, he was even buried in his cape --- now that's dedication!
Despite the flack this song has received as being identified with "gothabe's" {goth-wanna'be poseurs who are 'bad bunnies' looking for cheap thrills by merely dressing in black, thus diluting the underground scene}, EHC adds a nice touch with this version.
5. Black No. 1
The cover song of another one of this Author's favorite bands, Type 0 Negative {especially "Bloody Kisses", "October Rust", & "Slow, Deep & Hard"}; I really enjoyed this version.
6. Incubus reprise
Another version of that great 'Kiss The Goat' song.
I enjoyed the way the songs blended & bled together, giving the senses delightful surprises, as one gently overlaps the other like satano-sonic waves.
The one song that I enjoyed most on this double-CD set was undoubtably #6/Disc 1: "The Bishop's Folly", which is an EHC original. And if this is any indication of what is to come {which in fact, it is}, then there surely is a lot to expect.
Hardcore EHC fans will want this in their collections, but for the novice & unfamiliar to the band, you may wish to first purchase "Kiss The Goat", "Satan's Little Helpers", "Calling Dr. Luv", & "Holy Roller."
To become acquainted with Reverend Thorn's musical evilution, seek out "My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult", which incidently, inspired & influenced one Rev. Marilyn Manson.
In My opinion, The best way to experience EHC is through headphones, as it is filled with such a plethora of sounds that should not be missed.
Satan's Little Helpers
A personal message awaits on the picture CD itself.
Satan's Little Helpers is a real musickal amalgam of a pleathora of diabolical sounds that works marvellously to manifest this abysmal opus, telling stories of serial killers Jack the Ripper, Son of Sam, & others such as Charles Manson, Sean {sellout} Sellers, Richard "The Night Stalker" Ramirez, & others. Carnal delights are heard also herein, which is always a joy.
Particularly enjoyable was the sytar, which provides for some enjoyable atmospheric conjurations {accented with scented candles &/or incense work nicely}.
This EP provides for over 20 minutes of musical mayhem & madness. Sound bytes are added, of news reports & some quotes from the killers themsleves, plus some improvised words added in here & there makes for a combination unheard of.
KISS THE GOAT
Techno-Goth from Hell! These synthesized minstrels certainly possess the Command to Look, & the artwork is impressive as well. The cover shows two loving & lustful Satanic Witches planting wet-ones on the Black Satanic Goat, with Baphomet on His forehead. Within, a scene of nocturnal Sabbatic debauchery.
There are thirteen songs in KISS THE GOAT, which makes for about an hour of evil entertainment. Is this the sound of the Sabbath of the future? Every tune has a complimentary picture with it, which makes it a feast for the eyes.
There are male {Thomas Thorn} & female {Sabrina Satana} voices herein, which is always a delightful combination, the different pitches compliment eachother nicely.
There's a gret little song called "Bitchcraft" about a Satanic Witch using her "hex-appeal" to obtain her desires, a-la THE SATANIC WITCH by Dr. LaVey. All the while bringing "sacrifices" to her main-man, Satanas. What a woman!
Also enjoyable, was the title song, & its repetetive chanting of "Pray To Satan". Very useful to play in the deep, dark night. "Creepy Crawler" is courtesy of The Partridge Family Temple. The Electric Hellfire Club spans the globe of grim subject matter, & sound effects.
KISS THE GOAT is dedicated to Dr. LaVey's son, Satan Xerxes Carnacki LaVey, born on Halloween of XXVIII A.S. Special thanks are given to Magister Peter Gilmore & Magistra Peggy Nadramia of COS, publishers of The Black Flame, which tells you something about The Club's solid affiliations.
The Electric Hellfire Club lead the way in their respective music genre, & I expect to see many other bands following suit.
Join The Electric Hellfire Club at one of these Sabbaths... THE OFFICIAL ELECTRIC HELLFIRE CLUB HOMEPAGE
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