Mad Spanner

Sisyphus Happy...

Review By: Dennis Jarman

It seems rather apt that a normally sedate Xmas eve is far from that this year as not rudely interrupted by Mad Spanner, but welcomed back like an old friend, as I reviewed their Life Absurd album in April 2019. They were a trio but now a one man Welsh performing act, as Michael Randall multitasks like a man possessed, or maybe repossessed!

Opening track 'Mad Spanner' is as mad as a box of frogs, as as the symphonic intro heads off into

ridiculously fast time changes that defy belief,with vocals spat out as if chewing broken glass. It takes a breath midway as it comes down the gears or two, having the audacity to throw in a guitar solo, ending on a fuzzed up outro.

A brief NWOBHM tinged main riff sees 'Epiphanot' rattle your speakers with bass bombast, and lyrics churned out at auctioneer on acid speed.

'Batty Off The Chain' has a groove that could shift the Earth's tectonic plates off their axis, as it growls and grinds amongst guitar squalls, death grunts and even mention Wrexham in the lyrics, not far from my birthplace of Oswestry!

Anyone remember US band Spazztic Blurr? '99%' recalls their vibe as Michael takes off his straitjacket for this fast and furious skin flayer,the songs subject hilariously reflecting the stress of a split condom and its life changing possibilities, all on a wave of throat throttling thrash metal.

'Landmine On A Frisbee' has a leering vocal to catch the vibe of the songs subject of an annual purge, dished out on a doom laden dirge.

'Bullshit' proves that punks not dead, as this under a minute long caustic rant includes the hilarious line of "Bullshit! Now you're sweating like Prince Andrew!"

'Uni Fucked Me Well And Truly' is frantic, fuzzed up folly that chugs and pummels like the Macc Lads on a lock in!

'Prison Of Convenience' is an almighty clatter, akin to Woody Woodpecker on a buy one, get one free binge of Buckfast that heads off into a short, but not so sweet trip to lightspeed.

This overwhelming album ends on a sixteen minute, spoken word, three part, thought provoking masterpiece.

'Pt.1 - The Impossible Summit' is a moment of sanity, most probably insanity. It's chilling spoken words are backed by piano and doom laden bass guitar runs.

'Pt. 2 - 'One Must Imagine' is power, such power! It's a major rager par excellence, as lyrics are spat out over an hypnotic hardcore rant, mercilessly ending on gentle piano.

'Pt.3 - 'Sisyphus Happy' sees varying mood changes hit new levels of splendour, as this seven minute monolith is lengthy, but rewarding as the first two thirds is bruising bass guitar blustre and drum overload, until all hell breaks loose for a final third of hellish thrash, propelling the vocals skywards for a full on tumultuous rant. Job done!