Whenever I picture a town in the Midwest where the local preacher is giving a sermon about the dangers of satanism and degenerate musical acts trying to brainwash the youth of America, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult is always one of the first bands that comes to mind. Arguably one the most influential industrial rock/electronic bands along with the likes of Ministry, Front 242 and KMFDM, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult has amassed a very loyal cult following over the years.
Originally formed in the late eighties, the bad started when founding members Groovie Mann and Buzz McCoy started coming up with some unique sounding electronic/industrial ideas for their B movie project which never fully came to fruition. However, their music caught the attention of Wax Trax! Records and from that moment on the world would be gifted with groovy electronic satanic themed industrial music. This upcoming release, “Sinister Whisperz IV: The Bedroom Tapes 1987-1988,” is part of a really cool retrospective serious which the band has been doing as of recent. I think fans will appreciate getting to hear recordings that originate from the pre-band days when the two founding members first started throwing ideas around in a small Chicago bedroom during the winter1987.
The recordings on this release definitely provide insight into what fans would later hear on the band’s first couple full-length releases, although some of the tracks on this album are truly epic sounding electronic jams. I would describe their sound as new wave music with a adrenaline pumping satanic themed twisting, taking you on a rhythmically hypnotic journey. Buzz comes up with some bombastically raw sounding arrangements, while Groovie Man’s bewitching vocal parts perfectly compliment the catchy chaotic compositions. Tracks like, “Sermon 4 None” and “Absolution,” are trippy electronic surrealistic pieces of music that you could imagine being used to score some bizarre black and white avant-garde satanic themed art film. During “Absolution” Groovie Mann repeats the title of the song through the track, but he does it in such suave and haunting manner that the words can easily get stuck in your head.
Throughout the album you hear a plethora of audio clips from religious speakers talking about the dangers of Satan that are perfectly woven into the mind altering industrial arrangements. The best example of this would be, “Satan's Power,” because the main beat is extremely euphoric sounding, yet you hear all these people babbling on about the dangers of Satan. There are countless examples on this release where the compositions may be a bit rough, but the beats and synth arrangements create these unbelievably solid sounding jams. “Out of Order 87,” is one of my favorites off of the album and explores this very dreary atmospheric landscape where the vocals are muffled to give the music a truly ominous vibe.
From start to finish, when listening to this album you can really hear two individuals letting their creative thoughts flow without any boundaries, or fear of getting run out the community by a pack of bible thumping old women. In my opinion, the songs on this album serve as the blueprint for what would eventually lead to My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult becoming one of the most iconic industrial bands of all-time. The creativity and uncompromising mentality of this group has always stood out and I really hope more people check out their albums as they have a very prolific discography with enough music to send a televangelist preacher straight into a spastic frenzy.
Promo video for the album which comes out May 9th :
Band's Website:
https://mylifewiththethrillkillkult.com/
Pre-Order for the album:
Another awesome review Robby.
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