Sir Psyko And His Monsters – Till The End (CD album)

Austria’s finest brand of Psychobilly was formed in 2006 when multi-talented Sir Psyko recruited some like-minded maniacs whilst he and his piano were schlepping honky-tonks in Psychobilly outpost Vorarlberg. Ever since SIR PSYKO & HIS MONSTERS have become one of the most celebrated bands on the current scene with remarkable live shows and festival appearances as well as excellent studio offerings, breathing some life into a culture of dinosaurs that is still headlined by reunions, comeback shows and nostalgia.

Steamrolling the wreckin’ nation with no-nonsense attitude, original enthusiasm and sheer power that this scene was also known for in its early days this combo leaves you without the shadow of a doubt that they won’t leave you alone …

TILL THE END

Originally intended to be released as a ‘Psychobilly goes Western’ mini concept album, S.P.a.h.M. changed their minds and created yet another full-length punch in the face to knock out both their loyal following and those innocent minds that don’t get outta their way fast enough. In fact Till The End is one of the most varied Psychobilly albums of the not-so-new millennium I was allowed to listen to without seeing Austria’s Crazies ever straying away from the (war)path of Psychobilly.

Highlights include the bass guitar-driven Welcome To Our Hell, a tune that is true classic Sir Psyko material and also a future wreckin’ pit anthem, followed by the excellent full-throttle tale of Pistolero and  Lonesome Rider, a track that still leaves me scratching my head and that sounds sorta like The Meteors meet Carlos & The Bandidos, all backed by the haunting voice of the band’s name giver and a Mexican spiced trumpet. Got that?

I won’t tell you how great  Dead Man Walking and Each Day (FTW) are to focus on the even more brilliant instru-mental Los Cuatro Condenados, that is in fact two songs in one. A slow surfin’ tune for the first sixty-something seconds before switching to a wild rockin’ Hillbilly stomper. If you think this all cannot be topped, you will change your mind immediately as next on the set is Outlaws, a song that was recorded unplugged, in one take and captures campfire romanticism and Spaghetti Western feeling likewise. Somebody just walked over my grave!

Though I’m finally running out of space, I cannot stop writing without mentioning at least two more tracks. The Crazies showcases SIR PSYKO & HIS MONSTERS and what this band is all about at their very best with twangy twin guitars, super-tight sound, no-nonsense Psychobilly power and a decent breeze of ‘FTW’. The bonus track is in a league of its own and is just Sir Psyko solo with his pumpin’ piano, rockin’ and rollin’ with the Nowhere Train, a tune that was also recorded for that Crazy Love Records release in the form of an old-school Psychobilly classic. This is not for the faint-hearted, all others go and grab your copy! Psychobilly’s tomorrow’s already here!