The Other We Are Who We Eat CD Review

*Originally written in 2006*

The German Horrorpunk band, The Other, has released their sophomore album entitled We Are Who We Eat. Vocalist, Usher, and co. didn’t get lazy on this album. Everything about it stands up nicely to its predecessor, They’re Alive! Speaking of the band’s first album, if you haven’t heard that one yet or picked it up, I highly recommend it.

We Are Who We Eat is fourteen tracks in length, if you count the hidden track and there's no filler in sight! Usher and the boys dominate from the word GO! If there were any Misfits comparisons to be had on the last album, the band has far surpassed them with this new release. The only thing that could tie the band to the Misfits are the “Woah’s” but we’re so past that now, aren’t we? The band has grown so much since the last release. The production here is slick and well recorded. The band as a unit is much tighter than we last heard. The songs are more well rounded, it’s not all straight up Punk or Psychobilly. The band's passion for Metal really shine through on this effort. Vocally, Rod Usher has come out of his shell (as if he had one), his vocals are incredible! If you want to be a crooner in a Horrorpunk band, this is the man to see.

This disc gets underway swiftly as “Passion For the Kill” whips us into a mosh pit frenzy. From here, we slam headfirst into “In the Dead of Night”, this tune isn't as fast, but don’t be fooled, it’s still ferocious. The most unusual thing about the tune is in the breakdown, the lyrics from Iron Maiden’s, “The Number of The Beast” are quoted. It fits well in the story line of the song. Hook and groove wise, “The Last Man on Earth” is the most addictive track on this release it’s very melodic and sing-along like. My favorite tunes on the disc are “Lover’s Lane” and “Menage A Mort”, maybe it’s because both have everything to do with women! The latter has a steady Jazz/Swing beat, which is followed up with Usher’s demented lyrics - “We Got My Old Black Hearse. I’ve Got My Rusty Knife. We’re Gonna Have Some Fun Tonight”. It leads me to think that going “parking” in a Hearse with Usher is going to be more than a SCREAM! “Menage A Mort”, is fabulous across the board. The music is Blues-based like the bands previous tune “Wolf”, it’s much more explosive and powerful though. Vocally, Usher truly outdoes himself! I’m fascinated with the lyrical content. I’ll admit I do love me some dead girls, the rotting flesh and stillness just gets me off...

The Other is one of the better Horrorpunk bands going today. Embrace the Horror and feel the fury that is We Are Who We Eat.

~Black Angel