4

This fourth effort is indicative of soft dying. I rank this as the most soothing manner in which to approach the ideas of: deranged stalkers and killers, false hope, sadism, the birthing thoughts of "The Morning Star", the hardship of existing in this time, the thoughts of a man about to die, the treachery of love, and along with other subjects, the true murderous essence of what god is.

The beauty of this music is comparable to that of the "angel of light" which is the disguise for the devil himself. This album was the last from the original members since the inception of the band in 1988.

Chuck Biscuits: Drums,
John Christ: Guitars,
Eerie Von: Bass, and of course,
Glenn Danzig: Vocals, Guitars, and Piano.

This release, in my opinion, is the greatest effort as a band from the original Danzig. They seemed to have reached the status of one entity. It is amazingly well orchestrated and composed. A feeling of great comfort/despair is driven into your soul with the influence of Glenn's beautiful voice and instrumentation. Time and reason stands in awe of this piece of genius which captures your soul and demands it to comprehend the brutal reality of its message.

1)Brand New God
2)Little Whip
3)Cantspeak
4)Going Down To Die
5)Until You Call On The Dark
6)Dominion
7)Bringer Of Death
8)Sadistikal
9)Son Of The Morning Star
10)I Don't Mind The Pain
11)Stalker Song
12)Let It Be Captured
66)Invocation

If you have read any of my other reviews you will know that I am not at all disappointed in the musical direction which Glenn has decided to take. His newest efforts are incredibly good and deserve the recognition of his true fans as the greatest work to date. Although, this compilation of songs holds a very elite place in my heart and always will. There is an inspirational influence which is undeniable and soothes the ravenous beast without taking its integrity away.

If you are new to the artist and would like to get a better feel for what he is and what he has done, I suggest you start with this album then go out and buy the first three for a soluble comparison of the older and newer releases of the original members of Danzig.

1)Danzig (self titled)
2)Danzig II - Lucifuge
3)Danzig III - How The Gods Kill

The New Danzig is a new breed of music which is very unfairly compared to the band of old, considering that it is made up of an entirely different group of individuals (other than Glenn Danzig of course) who have their own qualities as musicians. Their sound is extremely refined and has electronic elements imbedded into its base.

Speaking of their Electronically Based Efforts, the next logical step would be to purchase Danzig 6:66 Satan's Child, so as to not be completely overwhelmed with Electrical Shock when you finally purchase Danzig 5, BlackAciDevil. Be warned, 5 is very experimental and very different from any thing else you will have heard from this living legend, Glenn Danzig.

Glenn Danzig went all the way to hell to come up with such a sinisterly twisted album of dark love. Moving into demonic watery realms that few virgin listeners dare to tread, Danzig re-invents its sound into a cataclysmic macabre funk.

From the beginning opus of "Brand New God" Mr. Evil takes us on a roller-coaster of torment until the we are whipped into complete devotion and submission with, oh yes, "Little Whip." From there words can't express the utter terror and rock-bottom doom realized through "Going Down to Die" and "Bringer of Death." Perhaps I am too bold to say that the one hit, "Cantspeak" has all the elements of a classic Danzig song but my soul may already be in danger just by absorbing Danzig's mezmorizing grooves. As if this wasn't enough for my black heart, Glenn dishes up a cold slab of hurt with "Son Of The Morning Star" and the O.J. endorsed "Stalker Song." "I'm coming in your home, I'm coming in your hole"--shear poetry! Then somehow, the album ends with the slow Ravenesque tale "Let It Be Captured." At this point I am crying for more, so then a really confusing piece hidden at the end of the album hits me totally toys with my imagination. Fear and self-loathing, I think so.

Certainly no one could argue Danzig's past contributions to metal, but Danzig IV is the top of the heap by hovering near the bottom of one's twisted vacant soul, searching to find answers in a darkened playground of suffering, terror, and evil shrappnel. For all those interested in a horrific joyride through hell take a listen.

On "Brand New God," the opening track on "4p," Glenn Danzig roars that he's a "a walking, screaming hell, a thing of torture to behold," and he snarls it with such conviction that you can't help but be swept up in yet another trip into this gloomy band's candyland of Satanism, murder and pain. Such dark subject matter, packaged in the guise of a contemporary metal band, would seem ripe for "Spinal Tap" parody, but Danzig, propelled by the ever-impressive playing of guitarist John Christ and the tight rhythm section of Chuck Biscuits and Eerie Von, chugs along merrily through these dozen songs so relentlessly that the effect is awe-inspiring, never silly. Check out "Little Whip," whose lyrics are vintage Danzig material about torture and pain, yet it becomes something graceful and seductive when brought to life. Or "Cantspeak," a tale of someone bound, tied down, unable to move, a song that seethes with barely concealed anger. And don't overlook the album's best song, "Let It Be Captured," a majestic, almost operatic search into the soul's regrets and sorrows. This is an evil, bleak album that leaves your mind simultaneously drained and exhilarated that a metal band achieved such an amazing peak.