Monster Klub - Not Dead Yet

Artist: Monster Klub

Album: Not Dead Yet

Label: Raucous Records

Little to my knowledge, France's Monster Klub has been quietly producing addictive horrorpunk psychobilly tunes for a little over ten years.  But only after signing to globally distributed psychobilly giant Raucous Records for their forth album Not Dead Yet have I have the pleasure of running across this firmly established act.

While I was initially underwhelmed after sampling a few tracks, a complete runthrough reveals a psychobilly band with good control over the genre.  Monster Klub essentially sounds like a more traditionally influenced version of Germany's Bloodsucking Zombies from Outter Space.  The band keeps their style simple, and rather than incorporate punk-rock or metal influences, Monster Klub plays a classic 80's style psychobilly with a dash of country.  Their lead vocalist, singularly referred to as "SEB," has a thick French accent distorted by a deep throaty growl, making for an unearthly vocal delivery.  Further like the Bloodsucking Zombies, Monster Klub playfully sings about ghouls, zombies, and the undead.  But to their benefit, their songs and melodies are never dark enough to turn the casual listener off, but also not goofy enough for die hard horrorpunk fans to completely disregard.  

The band keeps a certain horror movie essence, reminiscent of bad b-movies and horror classics.  Simply skimming the track list reveals playful track names including "Zombie Dance Klub," "Gore Star," and (my personal favourite), "Godzilla can't Surf."  Some songs even throw in a few stock horror movie sounds.  For example, "Billy's Last Run" adds a subtle chainsaw buzz during the final bridge, and in the surf inspired instrumental "Godzilla can't Surf" the band sprinkles in a few of Godzilla's unmistakable cries.  Thankfully the band guides their songs through their own instruments, only drawing upon sound-bites as tasteful flourishes.

Monster Klub plays at a frantic pace across the entire album, only slowing down for the pair of haunting acoustic tracks "The Witches Hill" and "Voodoo Barbeque."  Fittingly, the album opens with the instrumental introduction "Crash (intro)," finishing 16 tracks later with its conclusive counterpart, "Crash (outro)."  The continuation of the intro track frames Not Dead Yet as an album with all the intensity and danger of a fatal car chase - an effect successfully sustained by the band's furious guitars and thickly strummed upright double bass.  

Simply put, Not Dead Yet is one hell of a ride.