Search - Man Is the Bastard :: Thoughtless

Audiodrome

The Dilettante | 12/20/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"As a teenager, I was privileged to attend an MITB show. At the time, I thought I was witnessing something so profound and avant garde that I couldn't get my head around it. To me, MITB looked like two fortysomething hippies who couldn't play their instruments and didn't care. But the crowd was mesmerized - and this was a tough, tough crowd. Afterwards, everyone rushed to the merch table, but they kept their distance from the band.



Listening to this 15 years later, I realize that this it one of the worst things ever recorded by human beings. But I remain impressed by the sheer psychological power these guys wielded. No humor, no irony, no melody - just obscene rage wrapped up in a blank sleeve with two skulls. The records look like contraband - sold in the equivalent of a brown paper bag. Like something from a David Cronenberg movie, MITB is not music but an attempt at mind control. And it worked, on a certain group of people, for a limited time. Handle with care, but don't listen to it unless you want a brain tumor."

Pure hardcore/powerviolence

KM | San Jose, CA USA | 01/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent recording by these extremely talented individuals. Check out the song "Tyke". A definite favorite to everyone who appreciates good, heavy music. The song "Moloch" is really long and the lyrics are really and political and moving. The noise tracks will blow your mind (if not your ear drums) all you ..... Noise fans out there.
Their other recordings were a bit more complex but this is definitely a must have for all MITB fans!!"

Mind blowing sludge

KM | 04/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quintessential power violence/grindcore from So. Cal. Their bass heavy (they have dueling bass players, and no, they're nothing like Ned's Atomic Dustbin) and growling vocals make other hardcore bands seem like twee pop. It was this band that came to the rescue of sludge-rock fans when the Melvins started to go downhill. While I don't think this is their best release, it is absolutely necessary that all hardcore fans have at least one M.I.T.B. album, and this is a good one to start with. The first track, "Puppy Mill", starts off slow and sludgy, but they quickly pick up the pace. Attention political punk rockers/militant vegans: it the title didn't tip you off, the song is about animal rights, a common topic in M.I.T.B. lyrics (see also track 4, "Tyke"). While I love M.I.T.B., I'm not too crazy about the noise tracks. But most of the songs are real rockers. Highly recommended if you're into the Melvins, Infest, Rorshach, Spazz, et. al. Features the bass player from P.H.C. and members of Neanderthal. They also have classy, pushead-esque artwork included in their albums."