Metal Briefs: Bandcamp, Part 5

The Dirty Rockin' Demo Edition

This edition of the Bandcamp series celebrates demos that are the antidote to the overpolished turds that get so much attention from mainstream metal press.

Throw the Goat: Demo Primero (2011)

California rock band Throw the Goat contacted me about their demo, aptly named Demo Primero. They're not a metal band, but I think they'll appeal to you anyway. It's hard rock with plenty of punk influence, played fast and loose. There's a little bit of Misfits in here (check the chorus on "Too Late"). How can you possibly go wrong with that? It's pure fun, and absolutely free. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.




Syphilitic Lust: 2010 Cassette Demo

Available as a name-your-price download, the 2010 cassette demo from Brooklyn's Syphilitic Lust combines black metal, speed metal, and a sense of 80's sleaze rock. Or, at least they say it's got sleaze rock in it. As far as I can tell, they are the degenerate, hunchback children of Venom, not so much raised by wolves as thrown into their den, surviving only through feral strength and brutality. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.



Pekla: Demo (2011)

Pekla is a Lithuanian heavy/speed metal band with a charmingly bad-looking Bandcamp. The image they choose to represent themselves is a collection of caricatures, for some reason. The vocals are an equally silly take on the high-pitched style common in the early 80's. But it's fun--fun in "one of only two living languages (together with Latvian) in the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family," per Wikipedia. Their self-titled song is raunchy, recalling the LA scene, and "Išdurk akis" has a hint more of Motörhead, although it's not pulled off as well. I'm not too crazy about their demo (I give it 3 out of 5 stars), but if I ever found myself in Vilnius I would definitely want to see them play. Next time, they need to get their band pic taken in front of St. Anne's.