THE MOSHKETEERS - THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL

Take The Downward Spiral and you’ll end up in a pit of sheer thrash brilliance. The Moshketeers really did deliver some strong thrash metal. If you’re a fan of Overkill, Exodus and Anthrax this Roxx Records release should be right up your alley. Prior to the band taking the moniker The Moshketeers they had previously been known as Rapture. Several demos of theirs have floated around for years with the Vacation From Hell demo added as a limited edition special bonus disc for this release.

With plenty of dynamic riffs and powerful songwriting The Moshketeers have delivered a long forgotten classic to the masses. It’s really hard to believe this is only a three piece band, yes I understand how the studio works with guitar tracking and such. While that may need to be taken in account it just sounds like a solid wall of guitar goodness. The guitar sound Paul was able to get really is phenomenal.

Powerful songs like Sin, The Myth and Self Extinction show a band that was on their ‘A’ game when they originally recorded this material back in 1990. I must say its aged very well; they’d find no trouble finding an audience today. The riffs still sound fresh and vocalist Paul Scozzafava is very reminiscent of Kurt Bachman on the vocal side.

The varied tempos across this album are one of its greatest strengths. At one moment you could be moving at light speed as during The Downward Spiral or punching a groove like Epicurus, maybe even some doom like riffage, just listen to Self Extinction. There’s a nice palette of heavy sounds waiting for you to engage with.

The song Grease the Duck is a total rant against televangelists who claim more than they could possibly achieve. Thematically close in style to The Crucifieds, The Insult Circus. Throughout the album themes of sin, salvation and authenticity are explored. Lyrically very up front and in your face about where they’re coming from; The Moshketeers are ministry oriented and don’t apologize for it at all.

The Downward Spiral delivers great tonality and the mastering done by everyone’s favorite, J Powell at Steinhaus, shows once again why he is one of most requested studio engineers around. The mix is solid, and with Powell’s EQ mastery, it comes together like a bullet. The sonic feast that awaits you which is tight and punchy, with great bass and drum tones.

The Downward Spiral is a reminder that to be heavy doesn’t mean light speed. It also doesn’t mean a tune down sound, with a rumbling bottom end, courtesy of Michael Parkin locks in so well with the guitar it contributes to a sound that is pounding. Hearing this material now, its suspect as to why they didn’t get a deal 20 years ago.

Scott Waters of Ultimatum wrote the three pages of liner notes inside. Several great live color photos are included, along with photos of several demo covers. Nice touches which help to make this a great package. There is even their four track demo from 1997 added as bonus tracks.

With the unleashed strength of The Downward Spiral, don’t be surprised to witness a break out of the waltz that is toxic across this fine globe of ours. Powerful thrash metal played to perfection.

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