Halloween is a great time of the year anyway, but one thing that always keeps me intrigued about the day isn’t the candy and/or chocolates. It’s waiting to see what ghoulishly macabre music is unleashed.
And this year, while most of you were out extorting the neighbourhood for your annual dose of sweets, US dark alternative/post-punk outfit …And We All Die were giving Halloween blessings of their own with the four-track single/EP Static Age.
The band’s first new release since 2018’s Modern Day Privateers (Remixes), Static Age pays homage to one of the most macabre bands of all, Misfits, covering two tracks in Static Age and TV Casualty in their own unique fashion, then revisiting those same two songs with Metal Blade synthwave artist GOST.
Even though the chocolate hangover is still lingering strongly at my house, HEAVY decided to check out the four track in the name of the true Halloween spirit of music. These came to me as files as well, so I am hoping I am reviewing these in the right order…
Static Age is up first and from the opening drum roll is a faster-paced and more urgent take on a classic song. I know the general consensus is to not fuck with classic tunes – especially from Misfits – but you have to admire bands that have the gumption and confidence to have a crack.
And when they successfully put their own spin on things, then that admiration has to turn to respect.
…And We All Die have shown their cards from the outset, emphatically stating through music that they have something to say, albeit by way of someone else’s song.
The first thing I notice is that this version comes in at almost 20 seconds longer than the original. But don’t ask me to outline the extra niceties because I will only try to bluff you with bullshit rather than regal you with facts. What I can say with absolute sincerity is this is a cracking rendition of Static Age, slightly more up-tempo and, dare I say, modernized without negatively impacting on the original.
Personally, TV Casualty is my pick of the two original versions, with the underlying swagger and angst dripping from its DNA resonating more with my anarchaic side.
The start of …And We All Die’s version makes a similar statement to Static Age, with a forceful opening comprising drums and guitar more exploding out of the blocks rather than casually sauntering. This track is also done exceptionally well, capturing the essence of the original but upping the anger tenfold.
Which I like.
Both versions here sound more like Black Flag reworking Misfits than anything else, and I doubt I could give a greater compliment than that.
I have to admit I’m not approaching the next two reworking of the same songs with as much enthusiasm, mainly because synth has never much appealed to me in music and with ‘wave’ attached to the term I’m guessing it will have an even stronger presence.
But I push on, and I’m damn glad I did.
A bout of static opens proceedings, and this is already sounding like a bearable Marilyn Manson rendition of Misfits than anything else. The drums pound steadily as the almost static-induced strains of industrial metal smother the sonic landscape with precision.
The vocals present with a darker edge, and yes, I will admit it, because of the solemn and pulsating presence of synth from both GOST and William Faith. Their addition adds an almost intergalactic vibe to the track, never dominating to the point of control but adding enough depth and layers to make this version of Static Age different in every way but also tasty as fuck.
A muffled gasp for air introduces the next version of TV Casualty, and it feels like we are headed back to Funky Town but on the metal highway. There’s an element of bounce and skip coursing through the underbelly of this version, offset beautifully by well-placed synth intrusions that give a nostalgic feel to a classic track.
While obviously and deliberately far different to the original, there is still a feeling of respect afforded the Misfits version despite the complete bastardisation of anything Misfits had in mind when writing this number.
Before you say it, no, I have not softened my stance on synthesized music, but I would also be lying if I said the way …And We All Die and GOST have integrated the sounds into classic punk overtures isn’t fan-fucken-tastic.
Do yourself a favour and cast all misconceptions about covering classics and spin Static Age just for the pure enjoyment of it. You might be surprised…
Static Age is available now from https://andwealldie.bandcamp.com/album/static-age, and streaming from Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/18AllLzPdpIYsWnyPNNW56 – as well as all the usual digital music platforms.
