Stormtroopers of Death Albums (3)
'Bigger Than the Devil'
Release Date 5/18/1999
Tracks 25
Label Nuclear Blast
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What The Critics Say
Fourteen years later, S.O.D. finally returns with its second studio album, and they're still as subtle as a sledgehammer both musically and lyrically, which is good news for Speak English or Die devotees. Bigger Than the Devil keeps the group's power-drill sonic attack going full speed ahead, mosh-worthy riffs slamming into an occasional nod to (or, more often, parody of) death metal. Although much of the metal world has caught up to S.O.D.'s innovations -- fusing hardcore and metal was something of a standard practice in the late '90s -- S.O.D. still do it better than the competition, thanks in large part to the fact that they simply have more musical chops; plus, since most alternative metal bands tend to ignore speed metal, it's refreshing to hear the influence creeping in as part of a larger sound. The lyrics skewer pop-culture figures, political correctness, prejudice, and various social concerns, and although the over-the-top humor again isn't for everyone, the occasional racist and sexist undertones have been done away with this time out (not that S.O.D. is anything but politically incorrect). For fans of the first record, Bigger Than the Devil is well worth the wait, and it sounds contemporary enough to win the group some new fans as well. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
S.O.D. originally began as a project for Anthrax songwriters Scott Ian and Charlie Benante to release material that their singer Joey Belladonna could not sing. That was back in 1985, so it is interesting that in 1992, only months before they fired Belladonna from Anthrax, that they decided to reunite for a concert in New York City. This is almost all of Speak English or Die! with a few covers thrown in for good measure. What is truly entertaining is the between-song banter between the audience and caustic frontman Billy Milano. His angry, funny tirades emphasize the more humorous aspects of this project. Classics like "Milk," "Chromatic Death," and "Kill Yourself" are here in all their offensive glory. The enthusiastic crowd helps the mood of the album, and certain songs are changed enough to give them an interesting spin. A good example is "Speak English or Die!," which places the opening riff to Slayer's classic "Raining Blood" in the middle of the song. The covers are good, although S.O.D. really does not add much to classics by Nirvana or Fear except for heavier guitars. The album is a little long, and without getting to see the onstage antics (the near-300 pound Milano opened the show by stage diving off of a 15 foot speaker into the crowd), it is hard to understand what they are talking about sometimes. But overall, this is a good live album for fans who had been waiting for something new from the kings of hardcore metal. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide
'Speak English or Die'
Release Date 11/1/1989
Tracks 33
Label Caroline
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What The Critics Say
S.O.D.'s Speak English or Die was an important record in the fusion of hardcore punk with thrash and speed metal, making even more explicit the connections that Anthrax's music implied. The tone of the music is crushingly loud, fast, and aggressive, but not at all serious -- the record is filled with goofy, macho humor, some of which holds up well (i.e., the three-second "Anti-Procrastination Song," an ode to "Milk") and some of which is quite racist and sexist. However, the music blasts by at such a frenetic pace (22 tracks in under half an hour) that the more offensive lyrics are often incomprehensible, so some may find them easier to ignore. Still, it's the loud-fast-rules music that made an impact, and mosh fans will quickly understand why.~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
