Music: Thrash/Death n' Roll
Website: http://www.myspace.com/thegeneralsrock
Country: Sweden
Duration: 42:10 (12 songs)
Cool Songs: One Eye Red, Punchline, Trunkride
Ever the fount of metallic goodness, this year Sweden gives us The Generals: four musical tough guys (one of thems named a very Viking Hednar) whose sound straddles thrash metals intensity and the peculiar death n roll subgenre. Kicking the door down on this oddly named Stand Up Straight debut is the no-bullshit opener Blessing In Disguise that introduces the listener to the bands penchant for solid riffs and battering percussion corsetted in melody. Dont forget the ugly vocals from uh, the Hednar guy who also plays bass. His throatwork somewhere between a growl and a grunt; most of the time hes aping the lyrics and likely slobbering on the mic as well.
More edge-of-your-seat fare prevails on The Offer Still Stands and to the bands credit, the songwriting on this first album is top notch. Not that its wholly original, but these guys certainly know how to craft a memorable tune packed with energy. Even their hooks are a smashing success. Chest thumping tunes like the title track and the churning One Eye Red crawl inside your ears and stew there for a few raging minutes. Those hankering for a more holistic feast, prepare to be disappointed. The Generals never run ot of ammunition for Godzilla sized riffs, but they sure eschew flashy guitar solos and intricate song structures like the plague. Might as well add breakdowns plus whatever fancy noodles bands these days clutter their albums with from boring intros to instrumental tracks. For The Generlas, the name of the game is a swift (aural) kick in the nuts. Whatever these guys are smoking, snorting, or drinking, its doing them a world of good because theres not much to complain of here.
The songs are evenly divided between straightforward rockers (for there is an undeniable elemnt of rock at work here) and the faster stuff. Punchline, Split Vision, Snap Decision and the closing wallop Hell Was Built For Heroes falls in the latter category, but the quartets gruff elegance comes out on The Illusionist and Consulting With The Sinners. While comparisons wouldnt do this promising band justice, those whose preferences run along the lines of Motorhead, The Haunted, and latter day Sepultura are well cattered for throughout this album. A solid if rather obscure debut album that launches The Generals in the right direction, anyone who cares about underground gems shouldnt miss Stand Up Straight.
note: 9.5/10
Tracklist
Blessing In Disguise
The Offer Still Stands
Punchline
The Illusionist
Stand Up Straight
One Eye Red
Portal To Paradise
Consulting With The Sinners
Split Vision, Snap Decision
Trunkride
Hell Was Built For Heroes
Do It Like The Devil
Line-up
Hednar- Vocals, Bass
Rickard- Guitar
Dick- Guitar
Metalmartin- Drums
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