Zoetrope (pronounced e-trope), hailing out of Chicago, Ill USA, described themselves as "street metal". And surely their brand of "dirty" speed metal, border lining on thrash could fit such a description. The band can be traced back as early as 1976, at first as a covers only band. They released their first 7" single in 1980. Then after releasing a couple of demos during the early 80's, their debut album saw the light of day in 1985. 2 more albums followed, the last one in 1993. Then the band fell apart. They got their name after after a devices that creates the illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures.
AMNESTY (1985, 1999) CENTURY MEDIA
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Line-up: Kevin Michael - Lead Guitar, Vocals Ken Black - Lead Guitar, Vocals Calvin "Willis" Humphrey - Bass Barry Stern - Drums, Lead Vocals
Tracks 10-13 taken from the 'Metal Log Vol.1' demo from 1983 Tracks 14-17 taken from the 'Metal Log Vol.2' demo from 1985 |
Zoetrope's brand of "dirty" speed metal, with it's punk like delivery, and thrash metal attitude was new to me, when a friend sent me 2 of their albums (thanks, Scott). Rivaling early Hirax in that raw feel, I find Zoetrope's music to be something I need to be in the mood to listen to. This is relentless, mind numbing heavy metal, with vocals that are belted out, more than it's sung. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to combine being the drummer and lead vocalist for this band! 'Amnesty' is considered a cult classic, and was not available on CD until Century Media reissued it in 1999. This version comes with all the bands demos as bonus tracks. The first demo is somewhat different from the songs that ended up on the album. They're still mostly fast and furious, but the demos actually sound more like studio tracks, rather then the unpolished live feel on the album. The second demo sees the band venture more towards the "street metal" sound. None of the tracks from the second demo ended up on any of the bands albums though.
Killer tracks: Indecent Obsessions, Mercenary, Amnesty, Member In A Gang
A LIFE OF CRIME (1987, 1998) CENTURY MEDIA
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Line-up: Kevin Michael - Lead Guitar, Vocals Louie Svitek - Guitar (not on the album) Calvin "Willis" Humphrey - Bass Barry Stern - Drums, Lead Vocals Guest: Ken Black - Lead Guitar, Vocals |
Another Century Media reissue. 'Life Of Crime' was originally released on Combat in 1987, but didn't see a CD release until 1998. This, their second full length album sees them once again combining dirty speed metal and raw punk. I guess this is why they called it "street metal", as all other sub-genres were too limited for their sound. Imagine early Metallica giving birth to Dead Kennedy's child, with Motörhead bringing up the baby! Sounds weird, I know, but it actually works! You don't have to be too picky on production values to enjoy Zoetrope though. This is the very definition of a dirty metal sound! The booklet comes with some funny liner notes written by Kevin Michael.
Killer tracks: Detention, Company Man, Pickpocket, Hard To Survive