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Defending Danzig

DEFENDING DANZIG, DAY TWO OF FOUR: MUSIC

Thursday, October 27th, 2011 at 2:00pm by

In honor of the Samhain season, MetalSucks is taking a fresh look at Danzig’s 11 most dubious distinctions. And we’re rendering judgment. (Click here for Part One: Misfortune.)

Danzig is, of course, a musician. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to debate whether he can fight or what kind of neighbor he is. Today, let’s look at the only thing that should matter: his art.

Over the course of 35 years, Danzig has topped the Billboard classical chart, written for country icon Johnny Cash, and penned a punk anthem that Guns N’ Roses covered. But rather than celebrate his diverse ability, contingents of diehard fans still heatedly debate the merits of his wide-ranging catalog.

Incident #1: Samhain

The Charge: Samhain Sucks.

The Case: Samhain was Danzig’s second major band, between the Misfits and Danzig. From 1983 to ’87, they were the biggest punk band on the planet. (Check out the crowds in this ’86 show in the clip above; the infamous “blood set” and similar photo shoots were seminal moments in extreme-metal visuals.)

Compared to the Misfits, the goth-y postpunk crew brought more art and less fun to the  party. And, yeah, they had some cheesy moments (“Initium/Samhain” is no “In the Beginning/Shout at the Devil”).

And sure, they wore some suspect sweaters (check out live footage from the box set or YouTube clips of the 1985 Starwood Ballroom show). And even if you think career highlights like [ “Archangel”  and “Unholy Passion”] are fodder for crossover Cure fans, you have to give it up for the band’s more hardcore moments, like when they finally got the Misfits holdover “All Hell” right.

Verdict: It’s Not Very Metal, But That Don’t Make It Bad.

Incident #2: Danzig 4, 5 and 6:66

The Charge: These Albums Suck, Too.

The Case: After three awesome classic-rock style albums, Danzig embarked on a lengthy departure with 1994’s Danzig 4p. For three LPs, he dove into the darkwave genre, combining goth trappings, electronic sounds, industrial noise and sensual rock. The discs were underrated and remain unpopular among his casual constituency.

Fair-weather fiends revolted against the new direction. The Hot Topic demographic didn’t really exist yet. And real goths didn’t warm up to it. But if the albums would have been released by some scene dude in a Projekt Records band or even Trent Reznor, they’d have been hailed as groundbreaking.

And even if that kind of music just isn’t your bag, maybe you’ll agree that the whole phase was worth it for Beavis and Butt-head’s commentary on the “Cantspeak” video from 4, in which Danzig is trapped in a giant litter box and forced to contend with an ominous, sentient, shark-like turd. (“Is this some toilet of the future?”)

That particular clip isn’t online, but here’s some pretty funny Beavis & Butt-Head observations on the “Mother” video.

Verdict: The Albums Don’t Suck. You Do.

Incident #3: The Last Decade of Danzig

The Charge: The Danzig Band’s Records Aren’t Any Good Any More.

 

The Case: There’s a popular notion that the last decade of Danzig albums have been hit-and-miss. Maybe they haven’t been as solid as the first three Danzig albums, which were produced by Rick Rubin (Slayer, Johnny Cash, Wolfsbane) and released on his [Def] American label.

But 777 I Luciferi was a welcome return to form, even if you dug the prolonged darktronica phase. It had some Misfits-style whoa-ohs, and “Angel Blake” is not only a helluva slow, heavy jam — it has a kick-ass recorder solo, just like “Stairway to Heaven.”

2007’s Circle of Snakes is a little turgid, but 2010’s Deth Red Sabaoth is a great synthesis of Danzig’s rock and post-rock material — see the two-part “Pyre of Souls” epic. The problem is: You have to listen closely to notice how good the better songs are; Deth Red in particular sounds like shit.

The Verdict: Maybe Danzig Is a Little Too Frugal With Production Budgets, But He’s Not Working For a Label With Deep Pockets Anymore.

Are the Danzig albums you don’t like any good? Let us know in the comments section!

-Ferris

D.X. Ferris is the author of 33 1/3: Reign in Blood, the first English-language book about Slayer, which is available cheap in hard copies and for the Kindle machines. (He’s been know to send bonus swag in exchange for a proof of purchase.) You can friend it on the Facebook, or follow his bullshit daily on the Tweeters: @dxferris and @SlayerBook.

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  • Steph

    Everthing up to the fourth Danzig record was a flawless run. I didn’t know they needed defending.

  • The Uncool Guy Down the Hall

    We weren’t supposed to like 4p? I must have missed that memo.

  • Huntermc

    4 is probably my favorite Danzig album. Can’t Speak is really the only experimental track on there – the rest are in the same vein as the stuff on the first three records. It wasn’t until his band quit on him that he started going down hill – Blackacidevil had a few good songs but was marred by unnecessary industrial influences.

  • Chinaski

    Samhain is one of the best bands ever,anyone who thinks they suck is either some dumb “metal dude” who doesnt get shit beyond metal,dude….or a goddamn fool

    “Moribund” “The Howl” “Black Dream” “All Murder,All Guts,All Fun” are fuckin classic

    • Batholith

      +5

  • raiseyerfists

    I dunno, Danzig 5-7 were pretty bad, whayuncha kiss da skuoooow-uh. 

    But yeah, other than that, excellent discography, covered a range of styles well.

  • Bloodbird26

    My opinion: Samhain is amazing. 4p which i agree needs no defending is my personal favorite Danzig record. Blackacidevil is good for what it is but not my thing. Satan’s Child is still good I would have just preferred less vocal effects. I Luciferi has some bad tracks but the last 5 songs especially are killer. Circle of Snakes is not my favorite but Black Angel, White Angel is one of the best songs he has ever done. Deth Red Sabaoth is one of my favorite records of last year and damn near as good as the first 4. Dude has a killer catalog of music and deserves way more respect for that.

  • Michael

    When I got into Danzig, I loved the first album and then I went directly from that to listening to Satan’s Son and I watched the music video for Circle of Snakes…it was kinda a shock to my senses. Looking back some of his latter stuff was decent but it wasn’t what I had come to expect. 

  • http://twitter.com/JOE2369 Joe Moor

    Wasn’t buying it when you tried to convince us that time he got knocked out was staged, but this is much more convincing. Digging that Danzig tune, it DOES sound like NIN a bit!

  • Stu1

    “From 1983 to ’87, they were the biggest punk band on the planet. ”

    This is either massive hyperbole or you’re completely out of your mind.

  • MT-400

    This is the first time I’ve heard someone say Samhain sucks.  Not very metal? Really?!  I can see how the uninitiated could think the Initium intro was cheezy… But as soon as “Samhain” kicks in, all doubts should be squashed!

    “This is the night we feast and dine; this is the night we laugh at death!”

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Y2B6KK2PV7O2IJVE5OYFKZALPQ M

    Danzig 4p is amazing and one of their four classics.  5 isn’t good.  I had it, and it was all over the fucking place and during that weird period for rock and metal and he was still trying to court grunge and numetal audiences, as well as NIN, Stabbing Westward, and similar fans.  He has also shit on that era, owing to being fucked over by Def American.  6:66 was good for a couple spins.  The live one luckily included the rest of those 1992 California shows, but the entire disc two was a pile of dogshit.

    Deth Red Saboath is ok, but the sound is very problematic and Johnny Kelly isn’t the type of drummer one would enjoy if they liked Chuck Biscuits, Joey C., who often fell in line with Bill Ward’s drumming within more bluesy songs in Sabbath.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=506137459 Chuck Wagner

    Who is Danzig?

    • EVIL EDDY

      GOD!

  • Dolebotixstudios

    Samhain is awesome, you’re out of your mind.  I dig 1-4.  I agree that 5 sucks.  There’s some mediocrity 6 – Circle of Snakes but I think that Deth Red Sabbot is a return to form for him… Looking forward to his blues covers, a long time coming.  His catalog is almost flawless in my opinion.  The only thing he should do to improve his sound now is get John Christ and Biscuits back and maybe try a different producer / collaborator, maybe someone with a flair for old-school metal or punk like Flemming Rasmussen although I do believe that Glenn has a tremendous vision and whoever collaborated would have to really know his / her stuff.  Love Tommy Victor and Joey C but that line up of leads and drums was just an unstoppable force.  I think that if those two came back in the picture, he’d put out the best record he’s ever done.

  • ColinJ

    ‘Danzig 4′ is awesome. Fuck all y’all who say different.

  • Elohdaeh78

    just like most people here have said 1-4 were awesome.  I don’t see the industrial side of 4 other than a few little things here and there, its still a solid hard rock album.  I hated 5 when it came out because it was so different, and I still don’t care for 6-7 that much, but the latest cd is pretty solid.

  • The_I

    I like every Danzig (the band) album. srs. I think IV and VII are both better than II and III, as well as most Misfits albums. Gotta love an artist who isn’t afraid of a little experimentation.

    Another good entry, DX Ferris.

  • http://twitter.com/CoryJWKamermans Cory Kamermans

    i like all 3 incarnations of his music and i find merits in all of the danzig albums but i am also not a picky twat i don’t mind when bands i like make style changes.

  • Carlos Santos

    4p was awesome… can you find me a more in depth, heavier, honest, beautiful and brutal swan sound like the one on “going down to die” (tip: you can’t). Plus, it has “little whip”, “bringer of death” man I could go on… (but I would never forgive the “cantspeak” intermission)…. now 5… there’s a chunk of it I could definitely live without it…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Clayton-Russell/553693986 Clayton Russell

    I still listen to Danzig II: Lucifuge all.the.time.

  • brjoro

    Misfits, Samhain, first 3 Danzig cd’s. If you have those, you’re done. Nothing else to see here!

    • EVIL EDDY

      NOT!

  • Joe LaForm

    4p was bad? Says who? That’s a damn solid album and “Cantspeak” is one of my favorite Danzig songs. I have heard very few people ever say anything bad about the first 4 discs. And Samhain sucked? Where the hell have I been, under a rock? Once again, I’ve heard no one say anything like that.

  • Beer

    Blackaciddevil is the only Danzig album I didnt really care for. 

  • Beer

    I wish Danzig would bring back John Christ on guitar though.  I think is so much better than Tommy Victor and his shredding wankery.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Devon-Czekaj/550092101 Devon Czekaj

    People think that Samhain sucks? This is news to me. 

  • David

    “From 1983 to ’87, they (Samhain) were the biggest punk band on the planet.”  

    Let’s see, who was still around in 83?  Black Flag, Bad Brains, Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, 
    Dead Kennedys,  The Clash, The Ramones, Minor Threat, 7 seconds, social distortion, Minutemen, noFx, the Meatmen, Dead Milkmen, GBH, Husker DU, Suicidal, JFA, Crass, the Damned.

    …and you picked Samhain?  Biggest punk band on the planet? Uh, no.  I mean, yeah, they were in Thrasher magazine at the time, but so was Metallica and DRI.  The whole ‘misfits’ thing was really just a sub-genre of punk and metal and never really represented either scene completely.  They had their own fans.

    David