Damn the Gods: Monolithic Midwestern Metal

Damn the Gods

Independent Release, 2005

If I actually had some money to my name, I swear I’d pay for this. And whatever price I first thought was reasonable, I’d double it, because this is a monster I’m happy to entertain on my stereo. That said, Damn the Gods is EVERYTHING I love about Midwestern metal.

Released in 2005 no one told these guys it’s not 1977, and nobody better fuck it up by opening their big stupid mouths and blabbing, got it? DTG has songs about getting fucked up, highway travel, fighting, screwing dirty cheating women and; and what else do you want? That’s covers everything you need right there.

The distortion is fuzzy, verging on murky with a great neurotic trebly wah sound. In particular on “Mormon Flies,” the intro is a penetrating, bit of brilliant noise. “Damn The Gods,” takes it time with both guitars weaving a story together. Unhurried and dramatic, the tension this songs builds feels like waiting for a hangman’s rope to tighten.

The drums sound natural, with out any of the processing that kills so much great music. This sounds like it could have been recorded during a sound check and maybe it was. Mark Sheilds actually sings, something that’s missing from so much metal these days as everyone seems to defer to gorilla growls, somehow convinced it’s worth listening to.

Stand out tracks? All of it. The whole damn thing, then repeat.

This self titled bit of genius appears to be the bands one and only release, and while it sure does limit things, it is great fun. The band suffered a loss of bassist Keith Thompson in 2008, and separated, but in recent years have started performing together again. I hope the new material is as good as their legacy promises it should be.

I know this is a name your own price release, but I’m going to tell you just how much you should pay. Open your wallet, empty it and sent the guys in Damn the Gods all of it and more, NOW!

http://damnthegods.bandcamp.com/album/damn-the-gods