Review by Felix on March 22, 2020.

Split singles are always a nice thing in view if their two-in-one design. Here we have a liaison between two formations that like filthy anthems and boozy vibrations. Whiskey Ritual present more or less well-known sounds, because they appear once again as the dirty comrades of Turbonegro (remember their cover of 'Denim Demon' on Black Metal Ultras). It’s a very negro-like riffing that drives the mid-fast 'The Worm'. Catchiness is combined with mercilessly squeezing guitars, but the real earworm is the next track. You will immediately agree as soon as you know that I am talking about a cover version of 'Somebody Put Something in My Drink' from the unforgotten Ramones. You cannot improve their original tunes, that’s the dilemma for every band and Whiskey Ritual do not mark an exception. Anyway, the chorus keeps sticking in the ear in a matter of seconds, but I hope all of you know the track for many years. Just as a footnote, it was not written by DeeDee or Joey (R.I.P., dudes), but by Richie Ramone. Hail the drumming man!

Both Whiskey Ritual and Surge Assault throw their songs with a dirty, the underground adoring sound into the imaginary crowd. (By the way, measly 300 copies of the split will never generate a real crowd.) Technical nuances either fall victim to the clumpy mix or they were absent right from the beginning. Anyway, “Lust and Misery” was a perfect album in my eyes and from the top you can only go down. This time Surge Assualt do not reach perfection, but both tracks of (no cover version here) prolong their black thrash program. The aura is darker than that of the full-length, but maybe this is just due to the undifferentiated technical execution. The riffing, the vocals, the velocity, everything works well and shows the vital force of the underground. Seven minutes are not enough to make me totally enthusiastic about their music one more time, nevertheless, I regret that this energetic combo does not deliver more new tracks. It’s still dirty and violent fun to listen to their angry outbursts.

A final question remains: why is this vinyl-only release listed under the name Worms, Blood & Pills? The gatefold cover does not indicate this title, the Facebook side of Surge Assault also does not mention this name. However, I won’t rack my tired brain to solve this mystery. It’s better to put number 252 of 300 on the turntable and start a little headbanging session.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by JD on February 12, 2014.

A band that successfully mixes rock, hard rock and metal is a rare breed, and one bound to be a favorite no matter where they go. Motorhead, German rockers Gun Barrel and Past MD are just the few amazing bands that have done that, and they created pure musical GOLD! Out of the more extreme musical landscape of Poland, comes an act that is not doing the whole death/extreme metal thing, but bluesy party rock with a metal and biker edge to it all – and they are called Leash Eye.

Take equal parts Motorhead, early Black Label Society, Canadian metallers SFH or Pantera then the rougher edges of Southern metal and then put some NWOBHM style in there as well… add gallons of good alcohol… and you get the five piece rocking hard driving band called Leash Eye. Formed originally as a grunge act back when, thankfully their metal/party edges (and growing talent) took over and they put their blood and tears into growing to be the party metallers they are now.

You can’t help but get into the mood to party and thrash hard as hell given such ballsy tracks as the sodden "Me & Mr Beam" or the Motorhead inspired "Twice Betrayed". Each track is homage to their influences, and yet they never copy them and opted to breathe passion and personality that is clearly Leash Eye. Many other tracks are amazing as all hell – but these are the sentimental favourites on the disk.

This album will not change the face of metal, but it will be a good party disk, or if you go out and drive with it on. Leash Eye has brought back the fun, and left a piece of their selves in the process… pretty cool, if you ask me. I raise a frothy cold one and salute a band that can do all that. One more thing for all of ya – buy this album you lazy sods!!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality 9.5
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.2 out of 10