Plan 9 8 Hits From Hell CD Review

*Originally written in 2004*

~Word on the street is the band will be reissuing another vinyl press of this album, keep your eyes on their facebook page so you don't miss out on it!

In 1997 a few musicians got together to do a one-off tribute to the Misfits in the form of a Rockabilly spoof. The gig was so well received and packed that more shows were in demand. So, a few more Bay Area shows were planned, by this time the Rockabilly angle had been dropped and the band had taken on its own persona. Plan 9 reproduces an original Misfits show complete with the Crimson Ghost lurking around and authentic Jerry Only/Doyle Von Frankenstein guitars. Hell, they even dress the part! I wouldn’t call them much of a tribute act, they do their own songs as well as covers. It seems like a show you would want to check out if you missed the original era of the ‘Fits. Glenn Danzig himself has even been quoted saying “Plan 9 sounds better live than the Misfits ever did!” Wow that’s got to be tough to say.

Plan 9 spent half of 2003 writing original material for their debut mini album “8 Hits from Hell” on Pure and Proud Records. The cd is fabulous! It starts out with the crushing alien anthem “War of The Worlds”. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this was the Misfits. It’s just that good folks! It’s balls to the wall Punk Rock! The vocals are strong, the rhythm section is tough as nails and the guitar riffs are relentless. Next up we have the spine-tingling track entitled “Blood”. This song is about those lovely Vamp girls that come out on cold nights to suck you dry! The two things that stand out on this track are the vocals and the drum work. It’s a nice mid-tempo tune with head bobbing hooks and riffs. “Devil’s Advocate” is another Horror Rockin’ classic straight out of the bowels of B-Movie infamy. In “Day of The Dead” we find yet another speed frenzied Punk classic. My favorite line from the track is “Show the Gods Her Naked Flesh”. One of the most surprising things I’ve found on this disc is the Samhain cover “Archangel”! In no way would I ever disrespect the band, but I prefer Plan 9's version over theirs. The production is better than the original, of course technology has a great deal to do with that. The music and the vocals are tighter and more understandable than Samhain’s. “Manmade Monster” is a brilliant track with traces of Rocka/Psychobilly; a dedication to the greatest monster of them all FRANKENSTEIN! “Undead” is another splendid track that rips through your brain like a starving zombie. “From Hell” is faster than any of the songs on this EP. The chorus is addictive and once it’s in your head, it’s impossible to get out. Now onto the biggest treat for all of you Misfits junkies. “Hybrid Moments” is covered on this release and it’s one of the greatest Misfits covers I’ve ever heard. Every aspect of the song sounds like the Misfits except the production. This track is worth the price of admission.

This has been one of the most surprising cd’s I've picked up a while. It’s like getting a new Misfits cd from the original lineup. Although I'm not crazy about tributes or tribute bands, I must admit Plan 9 is the best I've ever heard! So, the next time you are tempted to buy a shitty tribute to the Misfits, do yourself (and Plan 9) a favor and buy this disc instead. You’ll be glad you did! Oh, one more thing, Scary Only is the lead vocalist for the also AMAZING Psychobilly band the Hellbillys, so you may be able to kill two birds with one stone if you’re out and about at one of their shows.  

 ~Black Angel