Powerman 5000 Albums (7)
'Destroy What You Enjoy'
Release Date 8/1/2006
Tracks 13
Label DRT Entertainment
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
There was a period of time during the late '90s where it appeared as though Powerman 5000 was going to join the likes of Korn and the Deftones in the hearts of nu-metal worshipers worldwide. Although they enjoyed a few moderate chart successes (especially with 1999's Tonight the Stars Revolt!), the group -- led by bleach-blonde frontman Spider -- failed to follow the aforementioned bands up the charts. But they continued to soldier on, as evidenced by the release of 2006's Destroy What You Enjoy. It appears as though Powerman 5000 has made it a point to bring things back to basics, as stripped-down compositions such as the title track and "Return to the City of the Dead" are more punk-based than anything they've done yet. However, with countless other bands mining the same exact musical territory, there's not much to differentiate Destroy What You Enjoy from other fellow nu-metallists suddenly in search of an identity. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In August 2001, Powerman 5000 stood with a match, ready to set the world on fire with Anyone for Doomsday?, the follow-up to its platinum Tonight the Stars Revolt. But at the last possible moment, PM5K mouthpiece Spider One pulled the plug on the album and its accompanying tour. The move riled drummer Al 3 and bassist Dorian 27, and both parted ways with Spider and guitarists Adam 12 and M. 33. Suddenly, instead of revving up for a new release, Powerman 5000 was half the band it used to be, and stuck with an album it didn't believe in. Spider and his minions soldiered on. A new rhythm section was recruited, featuring drummer Adrian Ost and bassist Siggy Siursen, and the retooled Powerman 5000 reentered the studio with producer Joe Barresi. The result is Transform, which updates the grinding, computerized industrial metal of the band's earlier work with more melody and percussion that actually sounds human-driven. While it ultimately derails itself with anti-consumerism tirades and broad suggestions to follow the title's advice, Transform nevertheless tries hard to entertain. The strobe-lit neo-metal of "Theme to a Fake Revolution" and "Top of the World" evokes a late-night ghost ride down the 405 Freeway, headlights out and the pedal to the floor, while first single, "Free," is the kind of melodic L.A. hard rock that Billy Idol was so good at back in the day. But while his staccato, monotone chant is still ensconced in the neutral zone between rap and actual singing, Spider One's mind has moved beyond the science-fiction tributes of the past. "A Is for Apathy," "That's Entertainment," and "The Shape of Things to Come" further the record's agenda, but dilute its hard-hitting heavy rock power. Transform's liner notes contain its manifesto: "Your very image and essence has been stolen, turned into high fructose corn syrup." It's a rather grim outlook for a group signed to one of the largest record labels in the world. While Spider's intentions may be genuine, it's not necessarily the place of PM5K to preach. Transform's overdriven guitars, solid percussion, and industrial backbone will make it as enjoyable for fans as any other Powerman 5000 release. However, it's hard to forget that the suddenly serious band used to perform in spacesuits. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
'Anyone for Doomsday?'
Release Date 8/28/2001
Tracks 13
Label DreamWorks
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What The Critics Say
The appropriately titled Anyone for Doomsday? was doomed from the beginning. Worlds seemed to have collided and Powerman 5000, after originally postponing the release of Anyone for Doomsday?, ended up shelving the album. It's unfortunate because Anyone for Doomsday? isn't a half-bad album, with its quirky, staccato guitars and heavy electronic sounds. After the haunting intro, the album kicks off with the hook-laden Ministry-like screamfest "Danger Is Go!" "Megatronic" possesses robotic vocals, recalling a 2001 rock follow-up to the rap staple "Jam On It." However, Anyone for Doomsday? is redundant. It sounds as if lead singer Spider One (brother of rocker Rob Zombie) took advantage of the success of his single "Nobody's Real" from 1999's Tonight the Stars Revolt and rolled it into a 13-song album. ~ Christina Fuoco, All Music Guide
'Tonight the Stars Revolt!'
Release Date 7/20/1999
Tracks 13
Label DreamWorks
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What The Critics Say
Displaying an obsession with trashy science fiction, Tonight the Stars Revolt! maintains the forceful production of Mega!! Kung Fu Radio, mixing roaring heavy metal with electronics and sound effects. Even if the record sounds great, though, Powerman 5000 still has a hard time writing consistently memorable songs; while some tracks do take hold, too many others employ moronically simple riffs and/or lyrics chanted (not rapped) in a monotone, relying on the production to put them over. Still, even if the album can't be judged a complete success, the aura of campy fun keeps going strong, and that focus makes Tonight the Stars Revolt! something of an improvement on its predecessor. There's a special guest appearance by lead singer Spider's older brother, Rob Zombie, as well as spots for Limp Bizkit's DJ Lethal and Marilyn Manson's Ginger Fish. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
'True Force'
Release Date 3/25/1997
Tracks 7
Label Curve of the Earth
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'Mega!! Kung Fu Radio'
Release Date 2/25/1997
Tracks 12
Label DreamWorks
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What The Critics Say
Powerman 5000 digs into the one of the more promising but apparently forgotten musical hybrid genres of the '90s -- the marriage of heavy metal, spastic funk, and hard, heavy rap. Like other music of this type (such as, in very different ways, Biohazard, Anthrax -- who once recorded with Public Enemy -- and Primus), Mega!! Kung Fu Radio is hard to explain and to describe. Essentially a turbo recharge of PM5K's 1995 full-length release, The Blood Splat Rating System (which merely won Best Metal Album, Best Rap Album, and Album of the Year in a reader's poll in their hometown of Boston), remixed and remastered and with two new songs, Mega!! Kung Fu Radio isn't a true rock & roll album, but it rocks hard. It isn't exactly a rap album, either, though lead singer Spider doesn't sing one single lyric, instead barking out the lyrics in a hard staccato delivery. Using the hallmarks of hard rock, funk and rap styles, PM5K creates a new, huge, violent sound, blurs of motion, and high-impact collisions in titles such as "20 Miles to Texas, 25 to Hell" and "A Swim with the Sharks." ~ Chris Slawecki, All Music Guide
'The Blood Splat Rating System'
Release Date 1/1/1995
Tracks 10
Label Conscience
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