A Place To Bury Strangers

As you all know by now, I’ve been trying to keep to new releases in these reviews; however, the post office is either slacking or whoever is shipping the CDs on the other end doesn’t understand the relatively new concept of the mailbox. Therefore, I’m going to reach back to one of last year’s releases and discuss the eponymous A Place To Bury Strangers album.

Reviews all over call A Place To Bury Strangers "The Loudest Band In New York." I can hardly disagree with that sentiment, since the sheer volume, distortion, and feedback caused great digestive unrest when I saw them perform at Crash Mansion in 2006. It was worth every minute that I can only dimly remember (damn that open bar).

Through the feedback and layered effects of his guitar, the voice of frontman Oliver Ackermann seems to have journeyed through a long tunnel, or echoed out of a century's worth of rusty coffee cans. Blending the chaos is Jono MOFO's bass. Meanwhile, the crash of JSpace's drums pound the listener into the ground. The room shakes; the world feels like it is crashing down on your head. It’s the sort of distortion-driven noise rock that has been sorely lacking in modern rock music, and, for the most part, it seems to be welcomed with arms (shakily) open.

Of the ten tracks on this disc, I cannot say that a single one is bad. I’m not particularly crazy about “To Fix The Gash In Your Head,” but I seem to be the minority in regard to that. I’d list my personal favorites aside from that track, but it’s simpler to say “everything else.” If there is any flaw, it lies in my desire to hear more. Despite the fact that the album runs about 40 minutes, it always feels too short. Other than that, it’s an absolute delight of brain-crushing thrash from start to finish.

This album is also available on a limited vinyl pressing through Important Records, but demand has been high enough that it has seen at least one reprint run. If you are like me and obsessively need to support this mind-shattering blast of pure sonic assault, then pick that up while you can.

If you are interested in Ackermann's distinct guitar sound, you should know that he designs and builds effects pedals, which you can purchase at deathbyaudio.net. Personally, I start drooling every time I look at Death By Audio. If I ever build up the cash for a guitar (or any other instrument^*), then that is my next stop.

A Place To Bury Strangers Official Website
Myspace page
Buy the vinyl at Important Records
Buy the CD at Brainwashed

^*I’m dying to know what a theremin would sound like through Death By Audio’s signature pedal, the Total Sonic Annihilation.