Review by Chad on January 24, 2020.

In many ways, Danzig's debut album is like a Samhain album that never was. Stylistically, this is a much more focused and heavier sound, but comparing Danzig's 1988 debut with Samhain's 1990 "Final Descent", Samhain was heading into a heavier direction anyway, with the final lineup of the band being the exact same members of this album. And look! The front cover of the album is the Samhain skull. The lineup on this album and the three that follow it is considered the best lineup for Danzig's discography, and for good reason, they are each talented member in their own right, but on this release, most, if not all of the original music on the album was crafted by Glenn. It's pretty apparent especially when comparing this debut album with follow up albums where John Christ was allowed some freedom with the guitar work.

I have to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of this album. While it's usually held in high regards, I've always considered it slightly overrated and honestly, sounds like a watered-down Samhain release. While the performance on this album is much more focused and professional than the Samhain albums that preceded it, Danzig's debut is just somewhat boring half the time. Throw a dart and pick any song on the album, it's all standard stuff, a single guitar riff dictates the direction of each song, not much different from AC/DC. There's little work in the way of leads, and while John Christ's guitar tone is suitable for the blues rock played out on this album, it's always sounded paper thin to me. Sure, there's a guitar there, but it's not making much of an impression on me bar the solo from "Mother" or the main riff to "Twist of Cain". Chuck Biscuits and Eerie Von both do a pretty half-assed job as well. Still though, they manage to play it safe throughout most of the record and at the end of the day, Danzig is a competent release, albeit the entire album just feels like a rush job.

I think the thing I dislike most about this album is the fact that "The Hunter" is not credited to Albert King. For the longest time I listened to this album thinking it was Glenn's own original material until I listened to Blue Cheer's sophomore release "Outsideinside". Then I went on to think this was a Blue Cheer cover until finally discovering that it is actually an old blues song. You wouldn't know this by looking through the album's liner notes or the track listing on the back cover though, this really is Led Zeppelin levels of musical thievery, and why? What purpose does it serve when "The Hunter" is one of the worst songs on the album, second only to "Possession". Speaking of "Possession", it's terrible. It's one of two songs featuring unaccredited guest vocals from James Hetfield, the other being "Twist of Cain" and I hate everything about the song from the way the main guitar riff makes me want to vomit to Glenn and James both yelling "Possession" in unison. The whole song just sounds like a punk rock fever dream. It wasn't good when it was a Samhain song, and it's not good on this album either.

Those are the only "weak" songs on the album though. "She Rides" is a very bluesy honky tonk heavy metal waltz that I always remember being better than it actually is, but it probably is the most iconic song in terms of the blues metal style that Danzig was known for. Everyone seems to know this album for the classics "Mother", "Twist of Cain" and "Am I Demon", but I have to say that "Not of this World" does not get enough credit and should be lumped in there with them. It has all the punk rock energy of "Mother" and more technical prowess in the guitar work featuring three separate guitar solos, and it's easily the best song to play guitar along to. "Soul on Fire" is another fine tune starting off with some Roy Orbison style crooning, quickly picking up into a bouncy and catchy blues rock anthem.

I just don't see what most other's see in Danzig's debut album. Out of the first four albums in his discography featuring this legendary lineup, I have to say, this is the weakest one of the bunch. It's still by all means a good album, but it just reeks of a heavy metal album that was put together by one guy. Sure, it's raw, and at times captures that punk rock spirit of Samhain or Misfits, but most of the time the album is spinning, it's not making much of an impression on me. This is a little too minimalist in the songwriting department for my taste. Still though, this is a promising taste of what was to come, and you can hear the potential from a mile away.

Superchard gets super hard for:
"Mother"
"Twist of Cain"
"Not of this World"

Rating: 7.3 out of 10

Review by Death8699 on October 7, 2019.

Classic heavy metal with a distinguished blues feel to it, if you're a fan of the 70's era of The Misfits, you'll know what to expect out of the vocals put to metal music. This album and the follow-up Lucifuge are by far my favorite Danzig releases. What's so grasping is the originality in songwriting basically the music and vocals just kill! It has a slight raw production quality, but not over-the-top raw. Distorted guitars spewing out slow riffs that are catchy, unique and heavy muted conglomerations, but these riffs are groove laden mostly, nothing too fast.

Danzig's vocals are sung with passion and candidly felt, it's as though he sings with his whole heart and soul. The drums go along very well with the guitars. There aren't THAT many lead parts though there are some at least with a hard-core blues tint to them. 40+ minutes of distinct and gripping metal music that's played so well it's one that you cannot really get sick of. I remember getting the cassette tape of this back in 1989 and what I thought of it. Scary album cover for a 13 year old kid but I embraced this one. 25 years later here I am writing about it!

This album has unique guitar and original voice by Glenn. It's really altogether a sheer triumph. It also isn't very repetitive its music is laid out exquisitely. Dark, blasphemous lyrics, atmospheric, and an abundance of pure soul filled! The band put together songwriting that was totally unlike any band that I've heard from the 80's in heavy metal except for the classic bands. It seems as though this era (80's) was notorious for bands making great metal as well. I won't list them here; my focus is on this self-titled release and what a triumph!

I suppose the reason for the dark lyrics has to do with Glenn's concept of keeping the metal underground. The heavy blues riffing is apparent on the rhythms/leads. Totally thick though, the solos shine in pure feel and poise. I really admire John Christ's efforts here not only on the great leads, but the guitars on the rhythm aspect are so well put-together that they're utterly amazing. Simple, but so catchy. This band made a huge impact in the heavy metal world back 25 years ago and yet this one you can still hear and admire!

The main songs that I thought to be my favorites are "Twist of Cain", "She Rides" and "Mother." After Lucifuge, I lost interest in the band. Danzig is to have another release this year though hearing Danzig interviewed as he is 60 now it sounds like he has no voice left! Anyway, what steals you from anything away from your own consciousness into this album because of its utmost originality. It can be heavy, but slow riffs, some whispered vocals, more soul-entwined voice and the drums hit home here. Very well execution and feel by all members!

Rating: 10 out of 10