We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The best kinds of albums are the ones you weren’t expecting. Sure, I’m aware that the Industrial juggernaut known as The Joy Thieves is out there making killer tunes but legitimately had no clue that not only was a proper full-length on the way but that it features the legendary vocalist (And frequent collaborator/Joy Thief) Chris Connelly on ALL 15 tracks. And let’s be honest here, who else is more suited to act as the maniacal ringleader over a veritable army of musicians who have collectively backed such diverse vocalists as David Bowie, Henry Rollins, Iggy Pop, Jaz Coleman, Al Jourgensen at one point in time?
But I digress!
Those expecting Revolting Cocks v.2 or the next Cocksure or Chris Connelly solo record are in for a pleasant surprise because what fans of his and The Joy Thieves get with American Parasite is something that manages to siphon all that magic from a storied musical history to create something completely new, different, and undeniably infectious. One of the most infectious of all is the title track which begins the record with an incendiary call-to-arms that’s more of a new Post-Punk anthem and more in line with something Killing Joke would produce (KJ drummer Paul Ferguson is one of the new Thieves in question on American Parasite) than what’s come before from The Joy Thieves. “Drown By Invitation” echoes that feeling with a low-end heavy ditty driven by slamming drum tones and a vicious wall of guitars while “My Life In Power” tonally shifts for an upbeat banger that’s fast and furious.
Ominously opening like the iconic American Horror Story theme, “The Long Black Ribbon of Power” is epic with a manic Connelly performance that’s at times commanding while at others crazed to bring listeners a controlled sonic throttling. “Valley of Pistols” is a thumper, straddling between straight Rawk and an Industrial anthem and “Transgressions” is moody, monolithic, and an oddity that lies in the middle that would serve as the most perfect opening song in a live set as it is unequivocally demanding of your attention.
“Tension Moon” is a cross between Connelly’s own Artificial Madness album and a latter day Bowie banger, “Complicity” is barely two minutes but has a sonic footprint as big as Godzilla, and “Flock to the Stop” is a little bit “Supermanic Soul” and a whole lotta cerebral wordplay (Say the song name real fast repeatedly, we dare ya!) before “The Strange Case Of….” presents a blistering closing number that sums up an album of no filler and all killer new material with every track seemingly intricately and meticulously dissected to give your earholes the very best listening experience.
American Parasite arrives on July 23rd through Armalyte Industries. Pre-orders are up now and can be purchased when you head here. For the latest on The Joy Thieves, follow the trail of socials by clicking here, here, or here.