Atomic Suplex are not a band to go and see live for the faint of heart. Playing the sort of ultra-raw ear-splittingly loud and vicious garage rock that only exists in Jack White’s very worst nightmares complete with a singer who has a tendency to leap offstage and shout in your face with his megaphone, there’s no denying they’re a bit different.
Which, of course, begs the question one must ask of all exhilirating live bands – how on earth are you supposed to capture that sound on an album then? Well, I dunno how exactly but they’ve certainly managed it – “Bathroom Party” sounds like one of those “Nuggets” compilations with the sound mix completely shot to buggery. Seriously, the only things I can think of that come close to the sheer sonic chaos on here are Danko Jones’ “I’m Alive And On Fire” and the Jim Jones Revue’s “Here To Save Your Soul”. Every song is a 1-2 minute burst of distorted guitars, insane screaming vocals, the occasional bit of sax (don’t ask) and not even thinking about dropping the tempo and volume down to anything approaching normality. And, y’know what? It’s brilliant. I mean, c’mon, seriously how can you dislike a band who have a track called “Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Never Gonna Die” which is followed by a track called “Rock ‘n’ Roll Must Die” which is in turn followed by one called “I Am Rock ‘n’ Roll”?
If you want some raw, visceral rock ‘n’ roll thrills this month then this one comes highly recommended. Just prepare for needing to go and lie down in a darkened room for a while after listening to it.
