Discovering new bands and music is a treacherous path, but thanks to the Bandcamp and Spotify sites there’s less risk one must open themselves to what new discoveries possibly exist. I recall when Baron told me to listen Psychostick it’s considered comedic-metal music, and was huh, but it’s so fun and entertaining, proving music doesn’t need to be so serious all the time. However, even I know the metal genre fans want their music kick-ass and Tragedy does deliver that with their sound, but the comedy flows in choice of songs the singing of the lyrics in a form of cover versions. Nevertheless, this isn’t a one-off album rather their eighth record and the artwork plays off of Saturday Night Fever (1977) and the title clearly references Accept’s ‘Balls to the Wall’ (1983); released on July 30th, 2021 by Napalm Records.
It all kickoffs with ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” which immediately grabs your attention, regardless if you never heard the original, the metal version captures attention. I should note that some of the metalheads, who are still closedminded, one might know who I mean will find it objectionable to hear a man sing lyrics about wanting or even needing or raining men but ignore them just words sung for entertainment. The second song is a rendition of John Farrar’s “You’re The One That I Want”, which many cinema fans recall from the 1978 movie Grease and was sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John delivers some goods to the listener, the verses truly carry but I didn’t like the growls commonly associated in Death Metal in the chorus – WHY? – they had the success already without venturing in that path, and musicianship already gave them everything. Then a rocking track of “Stayin’ Alive,” which invokes a bit of Guns-n-Roses to the opening of the song, which is another song original from The Bee Gees, and echoes for umm… disco years. However herein the band works a chorus that’s rather upbeat and brings some elements of thrash. “Sweet Caroline” originally by Neil Diamond, now opened with powerful drums and a haunting organ sound not quite “Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum but has backing vocal mixing from an echo in darkness to a unified championed vocals by the conclusion. The sixth track is mashup of Slayer’s “Raining Blood” with The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men”, the second portion lays down a heavy metal baseline while the Slayer influence clear delivers a tad-controlled chaos, and somehow it amazing works together. I think everyone who listens to the songs may agree it shouldn’t work, but sometimes talent musicians can see past doubt and make something magical.
Sadly, I found “How Deep Is Your Love” as a downturn track, fine for a solid rock song, yet lacking some necessary hooks. While “Aquarius / Let the Sun Shine,” originally by The 5th Dimension, which to some might sound a bit like The Moody Blues from the beginning a harpsichord effect, but as the song progresses evolved into a rocking track it keeps many psychedelic elements giving the listener a cosmic trip of enjoyment. By the tenth song they take-on Bonnie Tyler‘s wonderful classic, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” by first incorporating some true atmospheric elements; but once again honing a bit Guns-n-Roses classic rock which is all done to support the vocalists. The band really takes hold of “Skyfall,” Adele‘s James Bond theme song, bringing a power metal feel to the track, the vocals rich in sound, makes me wish this version was available for the film (think the 26th in the storied franchise) than the original.
Track List:
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
You’re the One that I Want
Evil / Baker Street
Stayin’ Alive
Sweet Caroline
Raining Blood / It’s Raining Men
How Deep Is Your Love
Aquarius / Let the Sun Shine
Africa
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Tragedy
Dancing Queen
Skyfall
Hot Stuff
Band Lineup:
Disco Mountain Man – lead vocals, lead keyboards
Mo’Royce Peterson – lead vocals, lead guitar
Andy Gibbous Waning – lead bass, lead vocals
Garry Bibb – lead guitar, lead vocals
The Lord Gibbeth – lead drums
Lance – towel Boy, etc
While the album likely won’t have a lasting impression on the metal scene, and some will dismiss it outright, which I feel is wrong, as one should listen to the musicianship presented with these 14-tracks. won’t have a lasting impact on the metal scene. The metal genre has many subgenres, for creativity just rock music does, and I would be interesting hearing more Tragedy’s music, the music could for those that seek experimental or simply fun variation in one’s listening pleasures.
Vincent’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Band Links:
https://www.facebook.com/letsmaketragedyhappen
https://www.instagram.com/letsmaketragedyhappen/
https://twitter.com/WeAreTragedy
Label Links:
https://www.facebook.com/napalmrecords/
https://www.instagram.com/napalmrecordsofficial/
https://twitter.com/napalmrecords