Mephiskapheles - God Bless Satan (LP)

Published puke13 Mar 12 2020

D-O-G-G-O-D!D-O-G-G-O-D!

The first words you here as you are launched into the experience that is God Bless Satan.
This is a near perfect album, definitely one of the greatest and most interesting in the genre of ska. Mephiskapheles creates a goofy yet dark atmosphere on this album, songs like Satanic Debris, Hard Times, and Dance Me Not being on the more serious side of things, and then there is The Bumble Bee Tuna Song which is so god damn silly I was almost embarrassed to listen to it the first time i heard it. Like the rest of the album, that song slowly grew on me, and i just cant help but smile a little waiting for the chorus to kick in. Instrumentals are very traditional third wave ska and a horn section that plays some avant-garde solos that slowly grow on you the more you listen to it. The songs on here are a bit lengthy and some do go on a little too long (Saba especially) but otherwise this album is worth putting the time into and is a rewarding listen.

Published goatlipss Sep 04 2004

If I was asked to compile a list of must hear third wave ska records, this bizarre sonofabitch would be right near the top. While not my favorite third wave ska record, Mephiskapheles created an outstanding, unique, evil opus to debut with.

After getting past the faux satanic imagery (primarily a couple song titles and their hilarious album cover), these dark lords kick that shit with warped ska riffs, skankable riddims, and a surprising amount of horn wanking (wait, wanking is with guitars, right? is noodling a better term?). The solos are almost a bit too much, but Mephiskapheles has a solid enough brass section to barely pull it off.

The songs are a bit lengthy, but it's worth your patience. Especially when you get to the end and can finally let loose singin' and skankin' along to "The Bumble Bee Tuna Song" (hee hee)!