Otep - "Smash The Control Machine" CD

Taking the title from a quote by the immortal William S. Burroughs, Otep have piqued my interest once again. Initially enjoying their 2002 debut, "Sevas Tra" (aka "Art saves"), in which vocalist Otep Shamaya's vulnerable little girl-meets-demonically-possessed she-devil assault placed the band far ahead of many of their more traditional metal peers, I lost interest as the more recent songs I'd heard seemed lighter and more commercial. Well, it seems with "Smash...", Otep has reunited with her old bandmates (the dudes from "Sevas Tra"), and despite the title track/first single being a blatant radio-friendly concession, most of "Smash" is nicely potent, with plenty of hyper-speed down-tuned riffs and thumping rhythms that pummel and fire on all cylinders. Otep herself is in top form, too, as her banshee storm rivals any male singer out there. There are some tracks that fail to impress, like the rapping on "Run For Cover". Points off there. And that title track just bothers me, though it's heart is in the right place, being a pretty scathing indictment of consumerist culture. Overall, this is an uneven recording -- combining some fine and ultra-heavy metallic rock with some cleaner, more commercial leanings. Mixed, I say. I'd like to hear this band let loose, with no inhibitions. I'd bet it would smoke. (Victory Records)

Smash The Control Machine (official site)
Otepspace

Gang Green - "You Got It" CD / "Older...Budweiser" CD / Can't Live Without It" CD

These limited 'gold disc' remasters from the popular and influential Boston skate-punkers Gang Green have aged reasonably well. Not overly concerned with social or political issues (as many of their punk brethren were), Gang Green were more adept at celebrating the libidinal aspects of adolescence, and the blessings of beer and skateboarding. 'You Got It' is a goofy and fun drunk/punk manifesto - only hinting at the metallic crossover sound they would pioneer a few years later. 'Older...Budweiser' inches closer to metal, but retains Chris Doherty's tuneless punk vocals, and adds on the group's Van Halen parody/response, the 'I81B4U' EP. Sure, it's juvenile and irresponsible, but it's also a helluva lotta fun - and a perfect teen party soundtrack (especially with cuts like 'Bedroom of Doom', or 'Bartender', to name just a couple of memorable ones). 'Can't Live Without It' is a live LP from 1990, and features most of the band's early faves - all recorded crisply and professionally. This one's actually a fiercer platter than their studio works, and features a slightly different line-up as members had moved on by the time this was recorded. Overall, some reasonably classic titles from one of skate/punk/metal's legendary acts. (Metal Mind Poland / Roadrunner)

Buckethead - "Young Buckethead Vol.1 + Vol.2" DVDs

This set of old 8mm films from the early 90's captures one of the world's most unique and talented guitarists in his earlier years. With bootleg-quality live concerts by his old band Deli Creeps (who were little more than 90's rock with a ferociously avante guitarist), this stuff is necessary only to completists, or those looking for a deeper peek into the mysterious past and personality of this oddball barnyard virtuoso. Other bits here include backstage banter, an outdoor 'interview' (which goes nowhere and only serves to show Brian, err, Buck's affinity for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and a weird bedroom keyboard solo. The highlight is easily an extended solo guitar improv by Buckethead (in character) filmed at a family reunion in 1991, which displays some incredible riffs and guitar pyrotechnics. Of dubious quality otherwise. (Avabella via MVD Video)