SUICIDE COMMANDO – Axis Of Evil

It seems that every new Suicide Commando album adds volume to everlasting discussions and forum-wars between ‘conservative’ and ‘progressive’ fans. For the latter, every new album delivers fresh, updated sound – contrary to thoughts of their ‘opponents’ advocating the thesis of something like:” This isn’t the real SC! Van Roy’s previous album was better, this is too soft, he lost his edge…” and similar. Yet, for seventeen years now, Belgian Schmerz-meister enjoys high popularity and army of fans continues to follow the work and buy his albums (regardless of ‘softness’, ‘originality’ or ‘freshness’).

So, what about the “Axis Of Evil”?
War of words between two fan fractions will surely continue. :)) And become even more intense because many questions were certain to arise, especially after somewhat controversial remix band choices for the first single “Face Of Death”. Did Suicide Commando really got diluted? Are his ideas and inspirations just a recycled shiny moments from like ten years ago? You’ll have to find answers for these questions in songs of “Axis Of Evil” or on pages of various on-line forums. My review will be a dissection; a scientific, objective analysis. I don’t belong to any of the warring clans :))

Johan Van Roy is still the champion of songs about sex, death and religion. With Champions League getting more and more crowded each season with more excellent brutal bands emerging, this album didn’t do much to extend his stay on the winning podium. Right this minute, while I’m writing these lines, “Construct >< Destruct” is spinning in my player. Well, not a representative sample, but still, you won’t find as strong songs as ‘Desire’ or ‘The Mirror’ on “Axis Of Evil”. Yes, it is softer.Edge? It has not been lost, but now it is curved and of black chrome. Lyrics are not just a collection of pictures of negative and obscure – more elaborate approach and very serious comments take place this time. Even political conotations appear – ‘One Nation Under God [anti US mix]’ – really unconvincing song. But luckily there’s a counter-measure in form of ‘Evildoer’. Opposite to it, blasts ‘Mordfabrik’: flowing, moving track, a sign of new Commando at it’s best. It does work, this updated bass-throbbing sound. Unfortunatelly there is no audio space in it for characteristic super-strong beats, but it does the trick. If he could only combine both streams in one deadly mix… ‘Sterbehilfe’ comes close, though, but still not far enough, the other songs as well. This is a clearly transitional period for Suicide Commando, and it is moving in good direction. For almost two decades. It is natural that such period occurred and it is welcome. Van Roy keeps his output fresh and competitive.Deep respect to the man, deserved absolutely.

So, let the discussions on forums continue and let us all enjoy in one more excellent album from the champion. Of course, by playing it at maximum volume.