This is the eighth full length album by Psychobilly legends Demented Are Go, and it is very good. It is impeccably played, recorded and produced. It is a tremendously good sounding album.

The first track, and the single, from this long-awaited platter, is ‘Black Valium’ which is perhaps best described as a sinister stroller. The song features a nice double time section. It gets the album off to a superb start helped in no small part by the sublime drumming of Gaybeul Gauldi whose controlled prowess is all over this record. He is the best in the business.

‘Out of Reach’ is Demented at mid-pace with a nice performance by Mark and superb slapping from long-time German bassist, Grischa.

With a tasty drum intro, ‘Spoonful’, is a nice take on the Howlin Wolf Classic. It s a natural fit for Mark’s vocals.

Chasin Rainbows is, perhaps not surprisingly, about taking drugs. It is well done.

Mr. Pharmacist is a fairly, faithful cover of the original, but with the requisite double time section. It is a natural choice as a cover for the band.

Cast a Lonesome Shadow is a peach of a song that features guest vocalist Emanuela Hutter who is reciprocating the vocals services that Mark has lent the Hillbilly Moon Explosion over the years. The song begins with a lead guitar riff and an acoustic, yes acoustic guitar, a delightful guitar solo and the twin vocals of beauty and the beast make this a truly memorable song.

Guillotine is a nice groover, with a sinister vibe that features the classic line that all she ever gave to me was ‘syphilis and wasted dreams’.

Nasty Sindy is the story of unrequited love. The story behind the song relates to a time many years ago when Mark became infatuated with a cabaret artist, who used to perform with an axel-grinder, that he met whilst on tour in Berlin. The reason why is amour was not reciprocated was because Nasty Sindy was a lesbian. Again the introduction to the song features an acoustic guitar.

Don’t Take Me Back, sees Mark in Country and Western mode and the song grooves along nicely, without being a classic ‘with the lines, ‘Don’t Take Me Back’ repeated over and over.

Strange Times is a mid-paced stroller that doesn’t outstay it’s welcome. The song sees Mark in very reflective mode considering a host of issues including the ozone layer – ‘strange times in a world of pain’.

Wandering Hobo Blues begins with just acoustic guitar and vocals before the bass and drums join the fray on this track, this is another song on which Mark seems just a little short of words with ‘I got the wandering hobo blues’ repeated ad nauseum.

The next track is one that I heard the demo of some ten years ago: ‘Dismembered Hand’ is a terrific groover of a song. It is a winner on the basis of the song title alone. It is perhaps my favourite song on the album thanks to the thundering drums of Gaybeul and Mark’s superb phrasing.

‘Long Distance Transcontinental’ an essentially acoustic song sees the album out.

Taken as a whole, I would rate this album several places above Hellbilly Storm but not above its more immediate predecessor Welcome Back to Insanity Hall which has the edge in terms of the variety of tracks, particularly in terms of tempo. I have seen several references to this being a more measured or mature record, and I can see that, but I do like my Demented with a little more piss and vinegar about them. Having said this, it is wonderful to finally have another Demented record after a fourteen year wait. Let’s hope that the next one follows a little more swiftly. It is also worth remembering that a good Demented album is the equivalent to an outstanding album by almost any other band.

Nick Kemp

For more of Nick’s writing on Demented Are Go, pick up ‘Kicked Out Of Hell: A History of Demented Are Go’ here

Pick up a copy of ‘Psychotic Mutilation’ here