Description
High Roller Records, double neon magenta vinyl, ltd 200, gatefold cover, printed cardboard inner sleeves, poster, mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY
The only reason to know Pesaro is either being over 40 and crazy for pre-Euroleague basketball or you are a home director and know the famous industry of cucine. Or a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal lover. So you know that Death SS were founded in 1977 in Pesaro, Italy, by the legendary Italian answer to Alice Cooper, King Diamond and Paul Stanley seniore Steve Sylvester together with Paul Chain. As you also know that the “SS” stands for Steve Sylvester and his name initials. Of course Death SS never got full recognition apart from the metal underground, and probably this is why Steve, who has remained the only constant member throughout the years, was forced to release their latest album “Rock ‘n’ Roll Armageddon” via his own label, Lucifer Rising, in 2018. High Roller reissues the album to bigger audiences with the proper distribution. And has all the right reasons to do so. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Armageddon” is a modern album that tries to be straightforward with lyrics, trying to fit the strange years we are living, and the insecurity and difficult political climate of our times. Brave enough, but no, the album is no concept, neither a political record. Musically speaking there’s an exertion of being or sound contemporary and not even a bit nostalgic. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Armageddon” stands proud side by side with Sylvester’s finest from his rich catalogue. The occult, the horror films aesthetic, the full eroticism and the theatrical elements are present either Death SS are flirting with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson (“Promised Land”, “Witches’ Dance”, “Zombie Massacre”, and “Fourth Reich”) or KISS and Alice Cooper approaching on “Creature Of The Night” (an excellent arena rock with goth aura song) and “Your Life Is Now”. With catchy rhythms, memorable choruses, heavy metal riffs, electric vibes, gothic atmosphere and theatrical performance Death SS delivers an almost excellent Hard Rock record full of born-to-be singles-anthems. A nice surprise for 2019. (Metal Invader)
