Music Review: S.O.D. - Rise of the Infidels

I am about to take any metal cred I may think I have and throw it right out the window. I had never heard S.O.D. before this album. I can hear your shocked gasps from where I am. I had always been aware of them, I knew it was two member of Anthrax, Scott Ian and Charlie Benante, a former Anthrax/Nuclear Assault member in Dan Lilker, and a guy named Billy Milano. You see, I was late to the metal scene so I missed a lot of stuff that I have not yet worked back around to. Anyway, I have in my possession what may be the final release of S.O.D. material, and it is pretty much what I was expecting.

I did have a little bit of an introduction to the music of S.O.D. back in the 1990s when Anthrax released Attack of the Killer B's. That album included Anthrax versions of "Chromatic Death" and "Milk." They were good, but much cleaner than the live versions presented here. This EP just may be the longest one ever released, comprised of four new tracks and a full 20 song live set. They probably could have released it as a live album with the bonus inclusion of the new cuts. Not that it makes any bit of difference.

Rise of the Infidels starts with a song that was initially called "Pathmark Song" and has since been retitled to "Stand Up and Fight." It is fast and furious with a message, a message which doubles as the title. If you can pick the words out of the hardcore thrash you will find words that tell you to stand up for yourself, stop being spineless. That is followed up by "Java Amigo" which features a strong hardcore base with thrashy interludes as it rages against the current state of coffee. Are you tired of Starbucks? This just may be the song for you. Third is "United and Strong," a cover of an Agnostic Front song that they performed live once with Roger Miret of Agnostic Front. The final new cut making up the EP is "Ready to Fight," another cover track. This time it comes from Negative Approach, a punk band that was a favorite of Billy Milano's.

The new recordings are good, filled with anger, humor, and pure, in your face aggression. The recording is raw. The production quality is good, but in a very stripped down way. It almost sounds like they were recorded live in the studio, and it would not surprise me if they were. The style is pretty much what I expected, a furious mix of hardcore and thrash with the crazed vocals from Milano backed by the riffs from Ian, the insanely fast drumming of Benante, and the raw bass of Lilker.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests: SF, horror, and metal. …

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