Friday, December 14, 2012

Lizzy Borden - Menace to Society [1986]

Of all of Lizzy Borden's full lengths, Menace to Society took me the longest to fully appreciate, and I can't quite pinpoint why. It makes no sense, really. After all, it's not as if this is some sweeping musical departure from Love You to Pieces that sacrifices that album's accessibility or metallic direction. If anything, this record is a more fine-tuned offering of the band's meatiest material yet, probably their heaviest album aside from the no holds barred guitar showcase that would be Appointment With Death over twenty years afterward. Luckily my initial indifference wore off, and though I don't like it quite as much as the debut or any of the records from the "golden era" through Master of Disguise, it's still one damn fine onslaught of classic Lizzy Borden finesse.

First off, Lizzy sadly introduces his crew with another unintentionally (?) hilarious cover art. Granted, it's not quite as heinous as the rank sleazefest of Love You to Pieces, but the ridiculous tank-junior chainsaw combo sported here doesn't do any favors for the decidedly serious speed/power metal assault behind it, coming off about as menacing as Dennis himself. More of the lyrical content here is focused around power, glory, and generally fucking destroying everything than on just about all the other Lizzy Borden albums put together, so it would have been nice to see that reflected in the skin enveloping the record itself. Well, I suppose you can't have it all.

As I alluded to, Lizzy and company are set to kill here. Whereas later records would focus on social rebellion and not fitting into the status quo, Menace to Society says fuck the status quo, breaks down the barricades, and turns the rules of society on their head as they torch the nation and utterly discount the merit of our empty 9 to 5 occupational lifestyles. Just feel the seething menace of "Terror on the Town," with its incendiary melodies and its ode to rebellious destruction. While the band plays it rather simple and straightforward for most of the playing time, some of the subtle intricacies to be found on later works can first be sighted here in the form of. "Notorious" is one of Lizzy Borden's finest anthems ever, a wickedly glorious NWOBHM riot that goes for the throat with its Caesar-hailing chorus. Sometimes the band can take its militaristic (and cheese-laden) overtones a little far, as is quite clear in the pointless drum intro to "Brass Tactics." Luckily it isn't long before the surgical riff comes into place to relieve us of our brief misery. The album has a searing speed opener with "Generation Aliens," which is basically "Council for the Cauldron" pt. 2 (albeit slightly less memorable).

For an album with as much traditional metal badassery as this, I would have appreciated a more aggressive guitar tone than what is provided here. The production in general is disappointing compared to the debut, which featured a rough around the edges appeal that added a level of shady nightclub charm to the mix. Things are a bit more polished around these parts, but with inklings of the amateurish sound worn well on Love You to Pieces. This doesn't end up mixing particularly well, giving Lizzy's excellent (if a bit unrestrained here) nasal tones a strange and power-diluting effect. This doesn't sink the record, but it certainly doesn't help. Also, while I'm usually a sucker for Lizzy Borden's poignant and unforgettable balladry (see "Love You to Pieces," "Visual Lies," or "Love Is a Crime"), the boring and sappy "Ursa Minor" just didn't do it for me here, probably the only song I could completely do without of the first four albums. They already gave us the similar (and much better) "Bloody Mary" on this very release, anyway.

For their initial 1985-1989 run, Lizzy Borden could do no wrong, and this is certainly no exception. Menace to Society may be a bit frontloaded with its slew of classic material, and I rarely choose to listen to it over either of its nearest neighbors or Master of Disguise, but it's still an essential listen for those who get their kicks from fine USPM and aren't afraid to get their hands a little dirty in the realms of NWOBHM and glam imagery. The commercial element here isn't quite as prevalent as its predecessors, so Menace to Society may be a good jumping off point for those hesitant to embrace the less metallic side of the speed/power metal scene. In any case, take the plunge. HAIL CAESAR!

   Overall: 8/10 (Damn Good)

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