IN REVIEW: Dead Cross - S/T

As the project that reunites multi-faceted vocalist Mike Patton with his former Fantomas band mate Dave Lombardo, Dead Cross was already enticing before a note was played. Throw in Justin Pearson and Michael Crain of renowned hardcore punk group Retox, and the possibilities become endless.

To no one's surprise, Patton is in fine form here, and those used to his more extreme tendencies (such as on Fantomas and Mr. Bungle records) will be pleased to hear that Patton is still just as effective and entrancing when he spitting, shrieking and snarling as he is when he's singing. His manic deliveries are especially welcome considering the relative restraint shown on his last two high-profile records (Faith No More's Sol Invictus and Tomahawk's Oddfellows); any concerns that age has lessened Patton's abilities are put to rest early and often.

Lombardo's drumming prowess is also no secret to anyone who's been paying attention, and his performance here is reliably pummeling. Meanwhile, Pearson and Crain are relegated to "along for the ride" status almost by default; it's not that they're not playing to their abilities, it's just that when you're comparing your abilities to those of perhaps the greatest vocalist and drummer of an entire generation, you're in pretty tough.

Overall, Dead Cross' debut record offers brutality and precision in spades (oh, and a cover of Bauhaus' Bela Lugosi's Dead for extra cool points), and hearing Patton pushing his madcap pipes to their limits for the first time in years is a thrill in and of itself. The songs aren't exactly new standards in hardcore, but anyone who's admired the members of the band aren't likely to be disappointed; it's a small investment of time at under a half hour, but the amount of blood and guts provided proves this to be an album of undeniable value.

August 4, 2017 • Ipecac
Highlights Idiopathic • Obedience School • Grave Slave