The Hangmen – Debauchery In The Mortuary

At last count The Hangmen (UK, saves confusion with the middle of the road standard rock band from the U.S.) have now made with this release to a total of nine studio albums, the last one before Debauchery In The Mortuary was Exhumed & Groomed way back in 2014, so this long awaited follow up has got myself and I’m pretty sure all the other Hangmen followers pretty hot under the collar, but what can also be said about this latest ear bashing, is that it will now enter the fray at a time when music needs as much kick up the ass possible, and from first listen it sits absolutely bang on the money to give all music listeners something fresh and meaty to get their teeth into (pardon the pun).

So after eight years in the album wilderness, now we have something to shake the world, from a band that have gone through a few line up changes since last we heard them in studio mode, what stands out for us within this album and in comparison to all that went before, is the pure joy and love that exudes from every note, beat and word of this Punkabilly/Rockabilly/Psychobilly or just plain simple Trash Punk band, yes its dark lyrically and yes it delves deep into the bowels of musical darkness, but what it also does is uplift and excite around every corner.

Thirteen songs and thirteen moments that all gel together, yet they also all stand alone as songs that have there own lives and tweaks in style, kicking off with ‘Hell’s Vagina’ and why not, you are immediately struck by the title but then your also struck in the ears by a three minute stonker of a melodic filled opening of the doors down into hell itself, this song gives the listener a window into just how this album ticks, melody is tinged with raw blood curdling vocals that still find the time to show some remorse to the listener, take ‘Collarbomb’ it kinda shows some love in a deathly and of way, then there’s the track of the album (in my lowly opinion that is) ‘Sweet Suicide Tear’ with its straight up Rockabilly rhythm and a hook that grabs you like a lamb to the slaughter, they both show how this album does have a soft side, even if its a only in the musical sense.

What you get the sense of throughout the ensuing tracks on this stand out album, is the need to push the rules here and there, there’s no need to stick to Pyschobilly or jump straight down the throat of the Punkabilly lion, ‘The Letter’ has a tone that could maybe be akin to The Cramps yet it isn’t, then ‘Born To Die’ has sinews of Tiger Army but never long enough to be even considered.

Whats even more important about The Hangmen and this album, is its need to be nothing more than a band doing things their way, creating a sound and songs that can never be anything else but unmistakably unique, ‘True Hate Never Dies’ drip of this, a guitar sound that sends chills down the spine, a bass that drops in everywhere like a cluster bomb, drum beats that have all the gale and power of a panther stomping through the songs, then the vocal tears heads off where needed and soothes the ear when wanted.

Death never has to be the end, The Hangmen will always be kicking on the lid of the coffin from the inside, this album will most definitely shake your head from your shoulders, then stick it back on and say “get dancing!”

Out in download form at Halloween, 31th October via Spotify iTunes and Amazon Etc

Physical options of Vinyl and CD will follow swiftly.

Find The Hangmen and all things gravely close to them HERE

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