REVIEW

Music DVD Review: The Genitorturers - Live in Sin

Written by David L. Miller
Published January 21, 2008

Upon seeing the cover of The Genitorturers' Live in Sin DVD, in which singer Gen is sensually simulating the penetration of a maiden in distress with a large, sinister-looking blade, you’d think you were about to experience the epitome of evil. But wait … there’s that whole judging a book by its cover thing we’re not supposed to do. What the band offers, instead, is just your average, down-home debauchery that’s amusingly hokey more than it is, say, disturbing or deliciously evil.


Lead singer Gen, who would be the result of Rob Zombie’s and Gwen Stefani’s courtship, looks as though she was probably raised in an upper-middle class home but somehow gravitated toward the dark side.


The band as whole, with its looks and theatrics, is a combination of the outrageous costumes of GWAR and the goth creepiness of Marilyn Manson. The band is pretty much your standard rock band, with simple riffs and drum beats, but at times they successfully pulls off the industrial sound that gained popularity in the early to mid-nineties. Also, the lyrics focus on all things “sinful” such as BDSM, the worship of female genitalia, and general anti-establishment sentiments.


The costumes, theatrics, and visual effects are the main selling point of the DVD, and perhaps the band in general. The band has its own group of acrobats who are a cross between the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow and Cirque de Soleil.


For your viewing pleasure, there’s the lactating dominatrix, a leather-clad fire-thrower, and a rather cute woman who serves as Gen’s submissive (think lollipops and rosary beads being removed from her orifices). The most shocking part comes when a woman is suspended by roughly six hooks that are stuck through the skin on her upper back. She stays in this state for an entire song, violently swinging around above the stage.


As you may have guessed with my multiple comparisons of The Genitorturers to other acts, the band does seem derivative. If you like deviant forms of amusement and don’t take the band too seriously, its onstage antics and dramatic, yet somewhat silly, songs just might prove to be a fun experience. What's best about Gen and the other members is that they do what they want without giving a f*ck. However, if you take your evil seriously and are looking for a genuinely creepy band, then The Genitorturers aren’t for you. For that, I’d recommend the now defunct band, Jack Off Jill.


The special features on the DVD include: the band’s photo shoot for Hustler magazine, an interview with Kelly Bomb, the band’s tour manager/merchandise coordinator/dancer, lesbian mud wrestling, tour antics, and a meet-and-greet with Gen and one of the suspension artists.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
David Miller was born in Lawton, Oklahoma and now lives in Norman, Oklahoma. He is pursuing a professional writing degree at the University of Oklahoma.

Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
Music DVD Review: The Genitorturers - Live in Sin
Published: January 21, 2008
Type: Review
Section: Music
Filed Under: Music: Video, Music: Rock, Video: Music, Video: Performing Arts
Writer: David L. Miller
David L. Miller's BC Writer page
David L. Miller's personal site
Spread the Word
Like this article?
Email this
Submit to del.icio.us Save to del.icio.us
RSS Feeds
All RSS Feeds (240+)
Comments on this article
BC articles by David L. Miller
Music: Video
Music: Rock
Video: Music
Video: Performing Arts
All Music Articles
All Review articles
All BC articles
All BC Comments

Comments

Want comments emailed to you? No spam, promise! Address:

Add your comment, speak your mind

(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/73097)

Personal attacks are not allowed. Please read our comment policy.





Remember Name/URL?

Please preview your comment!

Fresh
Articles
Fresh
Comments