Review Summary: A very strong third album from Glenn Danzig and his original lineup.
How the Gods Kill is the third album in Danzig’s discography and one of the largest highlights of it as well. While not being the magnum opus like Lucifuge, it doesn’t stand far behind in quality. While retaining their bluesy aspects, the sound music itself is far more heavy and textured. Feeling more atmospheric than the two proceeding albums that felt more stripped down emphasize bare bones of the music. This allowing it to retain the listener’s focus far more easily.
The opening track “Godless” immediately opens with a larger than life instrumentals from musicians John Christ, Eerie Von, and Chuck Biscuits. If there were any doubt that the band was metal – this track definitely fades away any notion otherwise. Glenn Danzig himself begins his singing and crooning as it slows down briefly, than returning to the opening style. It sets the mood and tone perfect for whats to come throughout the rest of the album.
Each of the band members gets their fair share of shining moments on this album as well, whether as an individual or as a unit. Von shines on “Bodies” with his very steady, very present bass riff. It’s always nice to see any bassist shine as usually their an afterthought in many’s minds. The title track, “Anything,” and “Do You Wear the Mark” has very solid drumming from Chuck Biscuits. Every thing sounding loose, while accurate. John Christ is unfortunately one of the most underrated and forgotten guitarists – him playing riffs and solos that are very difficult to replicate here. A very solid, pace setting riffs on “Dirty Black Summer” and “Heart of the Devil.” And delivering fantastic solos on “Godless” and the title track. The best track to see the each member on the top of their game and in sync is definitely “Left Hand Black.”
Glenn is at his peak here, whether in actual performance or lyric writing, brings his all and more here. Allowing himself to portray a very cool atmosphere on tracks like “Dirty Black Summer,” a powerful being on tracks like “Anything” or “Left Hand Black,” or a more vulnerable, softer character on “Sistinas.” Nothing feels forced or written as filler which is definitely a one up against previous releases. While the choruses we get are few, they’re very solid, and it’s nice to not have something extremely formulaic. The energy is there, none of the lyrics are extremely bad or cheesey unlike some of his later works. His best performance would definitely on “Anything” or “Sistinas.” Both tracks show range, restraint, and emotion – whether the music is heavier or softer.
How the Gods Kill is truly a gem and it’s sad that it is really forgotten amongst the other bigger names and newer sounds of the nineties like Nirvana and Pantera. It should’ve been a far more successful album than it was – as the abilities, skills, and talent from all four members were there. And while later entries may taint the once very strong discography, the highs of his albums at this point in time by far trump the lows of present day works. A condensed, yet consistent masterpiece here - there is only hope that this album as well as well as the others done by the original lineup are never completely forgotten.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS:
“Anything”
“How the Gods Kill”
“Left Hand Black”
“When the Dying Calls”
