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THE FANTÔMAS MELVINS BIG BAND
LIVE FROM LONDON 2006 DVD
IPECAC RECORDINGS
A chaotic, debaucherous, romp around the looking glass. - Kickface Boy
7,6,5,4,3,2,1. The screen counts down then burns and melts away to reveal a darkened stage, as the slow, rhythmic pounding of dual drum kits leads to the haunting, yet lulling sound of low, droning, guitars and a theremin accompanied by whistling. A soft, soothing voice flows over the top of the music, as a blue aura passes though the stage as if clouds where briefly blotting out the moonlight. Odd kinetic statues appear, moving slowly to the music as an alien language displays lyrics. Suddenly, the tranquil rhythm is replaced by the blaring of sirens, and high pitched guitar feedback as the cameras go blurry and shakes as if caught in the midst of an earthquake.
The lights come up over the stage and the mad maestro, Mike Patton begins his decadent symphony. At his cue the duel drums of Dale Crover and Dave Lombardo battle back and forth. Then with a "Boing", from Patton's lips, the stage seems to jump and the lights strobe to his command. Patton devours the microphone as he screams with all the intensity in his eyes of Charles Manson, as the band blares and blue flames emanate off of Buzz Osborne's guitar.
David Scott Stone sets down his guitar and runs to the center of the stage dragging an electric wire. Spazzing out like a bobcat on booze, it sounds as if he is trapped in the middle of an alien laser battle which seems to intensify with his every movement.
Blue flames engulf the screen as everything seems to go quiet, except for the faint sound of cymbals. The drums sound like two dying bodies twitching on the floor only able to speak through a series of small halted taps. Then like a frenzied witch doctor, Patton brings everything back to like with a point of his finger and a primal scream. He becomes the puppet master of a group of like minded degenerates devoted to the depraved sounds of the evening. With an out stretched finger and a high pitched shriek, the drums awake from their lifeless state and go into a clamor of sticks on skins. Silence. Wailing like a banshee, the guitars once again join the tempestuous symphony, squealing with all the intensity of Patton himself. Blue flames once again engulf the screen and the stage is washed over by a sea of red.
What I've described so far isn't even half of what is on this DVD. This is 21 tracks of shear madcap splendor, all captured in a live performance by the combined efforts of two innovative bands known for their collaborative efforts. In addition to the performance is also an audio commentary with members of the band and Danny De Vito. Hear all about the history of The Fantômas Melvins Big Band, as well as how Marlon Brando posed as a young Chinese girl every night in internet chat rooms. A chaotic, debaucherous, romp around the looking glass, this is must have for Fantômas fans, or anybody who enjoys the experimental and avant-garde.
The Fantomas Melvins Big Band DVD is out now, along with The Melvins latest record "Nude with Boots" both of them are very worth checking out!
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