Various Artists – HorrorPunk’s Not Dead! Vol. 1

Punk’s Not Dead is not a new rallying cry, it’s a phrase that’s been adorning t-shirts since the early 80’s but HorrorPunk not being dead is a new twist, especially when the words Horrorpunk’s Undead would’ve worked so much better, at least in my opinion. However the origins of this compilation, the first in a planned series, has sprung from the mind of the creator and host of the Horrorpunk’s Not Dead! podcast and We Are Horror Records, so he gets a pass on the name. The album itself is essentially a horror themed incarnation of everyone’s (of a certain age) favourite comps, Fat Music and Punk-O-Rama that contains a whopping 29 tracks, 19 of which are exclusive to the album.

For many HorrorPunk will start and end with The Misfits, whilst their shadow is cast strongly over this comp their influence is by no means the whole story, but it’s certain that they will forever haunt this scene. As with any worthy planned comp series the contents have to be varied, and Horrorpunk’s Not Dead! hits that criteria as well. The camp opening from The Ghoulfather, that tips it’s hat the vintage horror shows and series of yore, confirms that this is not a genre that hasn’t lost its senses, whether they be dramatic, theatrical or humorous. From here you hit all the elements that swirl around in this horrific stew, along with a few surprises.

From the obvious influence of The Misfits and their many spin offs through the years, Silent Horror win the title on this one with their resurrection of the Graves era, through dark rock ‘n roll, full tilt psychobilly, hardcore and punk rock with woahs aplenty, Horrorpunk’s Not Dead! hits all the expected markers. Of course there are also the unexpected and the downright odd moments thrown into the mix with country, metal and twisted 60’s pop, all tuned to the dark side of course, being present and correct on this extensive snapshot of modern horrorpunk.

Of course this is a compilation so you’ll flip though with joy and revulsion in various measures depending on your tastes, but for me this were enough yays to make this a happy experience and it did what good comps do, it introduced me to new bands. If you thought that the genre was deceased, this compilation proves that Horrorpunk’s Not Dead! If you want an introduction to the up and coming bands on this scene you couldn’t ask for much more, and refreshingly there is not a single Misfits cover in sight, something that’s become a bit of an all too familiar tradition at this time of year.