AlbumsNovember 29, 20119,186 views

Stinking Lizaveta Scream of the Iron Iconoclast


Scream of the Iron Iconoclast
01. Gravitas 02. Scream of the Iron Iconoclast MP3 03. To the Sun 04. Secrets of the Past 05. Willie Nelson (Tired of the War) 06. Unreal 07. Yagan's Head 08. Thirteenth Moon 09. Soul Retrieval 10. Indomitable Will 11. Presence of Mind 12. Requiem for a Rock Band 13. That's How I Feel 14. Cyclops 15. The Neutral Ground 16. Nails
2007 At A Loss Recordings
Our score 9

5/2/2007

Over the past few years, Stinking Lizaveta has sometimes noisily and sometimes quietly created an undeniable international sensation.Those familiar with the band will know exactly what I'm talking about.Those unfamiliar with this band only have to imagine a religious, life-changing experience, and you'll be somewhere in the ballpark.I'm not being hyperbolic or facetious.I'm dead serious when I say that if Stinking Lizaveta as a musical experience doesn't move the listener in some way, then said listener is deceased. Previous reviewers have described Stinking Lizaveta as the missing link between early Motorhead and Miles Davis. I think that's a little misleading. However, it slightly captures how this band has performed at ultra heavy festivals like Emissions from the Monolith as well as the NOLA jazz fest. Now, before you think this is another one of those metal/jazz groups that tries to musically force a square peg into a round hole, understand that Stinking Lizaveta is from a different camp. This isn't a band like Ephel Duath that has running bop-esque lines one second and screaming distortion the next. Instead, Stinking Lizaveta takes a more holistic, esoteric, and prolonged attack similar to Miles Davis's classic Bitches Brew - complex, densely structured music created by obviously talented musicians that makes the listener unsure of exactly what genre it is. For those new to this band, Stinking Lizaveta is a three piece (guitar, bass, drums) instrumental band. Therefore, they can't fall back on vocal clichés when the music needs a break. But it doesn't matter. As evidenced by the newest album, Scream of the Iron Iconoclast, the songwriting is always at a peak. There is never a boring moment or a part that feels forced or unnatural. The often classically distorted and always powerful guitar brings to mind bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and the Fucking Champs as much as it does individuals like Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, and Bill Frisell. This is perfectly complemented by perhaps one of the best rhythm sections among all contemporary bands. How can I make such a claim Because both the bassist and drummer are extremely accomplished musicians, and while there are times where they each get to show off their respective instrument, they provide underlying support for each song as superbly as I've heard in recent memory. The end result is a masterpiece constructed by three musicians who work together flawlessly. Bottom Line: The songs on Scream of the Iron Iconoclast, while separate units, flow easily from one to the next and give the sense of a whole, complete album instead of a hodgepodge collection of songs, which is often lost in today's releases. The musicianship and songwriting are superb and lead the listener through controlled grooves as well as frenetic, improvised soloing that can only be described as the epitome of musical expression. Stinking Lizaveta combines the power of classic metal with the musical exploration of jazz that has to be experienced firsthand to be truly appreciated.

37 comments

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dick_ 5/2/2007 8:52:34 PM

could you suck this bands dck any more? very meh. why do most lambgoat reviewers suck?

anonymous 5/2/2007 8:55:07 PM

Jesus, are you f*cking this band or something?

anonymous 5/2/2007 9:17:02 PM

I like this band because it makes me feel like I am better than you. Oh, and after reading this review I am correct.

hxcobd_ 5/2/2007 9:18:30 PM

Shit band, no give a f*ck ever

ooo_ 5/2/2007 9:52:33 PM

hey f*cknobs.... listen to the whole record then come back with a comment... one song may work with the clank rock you listen to, but it ain't gonna work for real jams... you dirt steaks...

bolognapony_ 5/2/2007 9:55:37 PM

HE'S DEAD SERIOUS, PEOPLE

bolognapony_ 5/2/2007 9:55:49 PM

DEAD f*ckIN SERIOUS

denbez_ 5/2/2007 10:27:48 PM

You can enunciate more clearly if you remove the band's penises from your mouth while you are speaking.

^^^^_ 5/2/2007 11:26:18 PM

great band. yanni is one of the best unknown guitarists out there.

Fur_Beach_ 5/3/2007 12:08:07 AM

so basically this is the best album ever in any genre of music.... and it gets a 9?

panzram_ 5/3/2007 1:26:43 AM

Those unfamiliar with this band only have to imagine a religious, life-changing experience, and you'll be somewhere in the ballpark. I'm not being hyperbolic........noooo, not hyperbolic in the least.

grudgecityhxc_ 5/3/2007 1:43:06 AM

were you in the studio with this band during their recording too? tool gay...

Ash Levitt_ 5/3/2007 2:06:41 AM

you shiteaters are just jelous that i get free cds from record labels aren't you? grow up motherf*ckers. it doesn't matter how shitty the cds that i get are. if i don't write a good review, they stop sending them, and soon our advertisers would do the same, and we couldn't get $$$. so shut the f*ck up, and don't listen to it. clicking the article is enough for us.

anonymous 5/3/2007 2:09:02 AM

While the review may bleed overt praise, the music is definitely talented. All you jaded gays need to get off your high horse and realize great musicianship once in a while.

ionesco_ 5/3/2007 4:18:14 AM

Interesting review. Will check this out!

devilondemand_ 5/3/2007 5:11:33 AM

Never heard this band but if anyone can lick there balls that much I think I'll give it a listen

Dick of Your Mom's Choice_ 5/3/2007 8:05:51 AM

This band is quite shitty. 9/10? I poop on your ability to review.

KingLear_ 5/3/2007 9:29:26 AM

shit band shit reviewer

DrGunn_ 5/3/2007 9:58:55 AM

plus a million points for making your band name a Dostoevsky reference.

PG County_ 5/3/2007 10:51:39 AM

Saw this band open for Clutch. They were the suck. Can't imagine they're any better on CD.

Pootie Tang_ 5/3/2007 11:46:50 AM

f*ck, that was a dumb song. Sepatown!

unitedninetythree_ 5/3/2007 2:21:03 PM

listened to the mp3 and this isn't too bad. i'll download the whole album before passing judgement.

bigego_ 5/3/2007 5:53:24 PM

i guess i just don't get it.

agent_friday_ 5/3/2007 5:59:40 PM

it might just be me, but is anyone else hearing three high school kids in a garage? anyone?

anonymous 5/3/2007 10:05:56 PM

Snooze fest

anonymous 5/3/2007 10:06:04 PM

Borecore.

thisaintsweettea_ 5/4/2007 4:00:37 AM

There is nothing worse than "jazz metal fusion" (i dont know who or what i am quoting). I have no interest in ever hearing this shit ever again. You just gave a 9/10 to a jam band. See you at phish-stock, hippy................................... Also, "missing link between early Motorhead and Miles Davis."; go directly to hell.

thisaintsweettea_ 5/4/2007 4:04:26 AM

niggs@obama08.nig.................................... I loled

Nowonmai_ 5/4/2007 3:29:35 PM

almost like a heavier variation of Dysrhythmia. I'll give this band a closer look.

Nowonmai_ 5/4/2007 3:40:45 PM

most people that like heavy music can't seem to appreciate strictly instrumentational, real-jazz influenced music. it's gotta have some quasi-breakdown or some shit.

munderbite_ 5/5/2007 12:16:09 AM

I'm going to have to agree with the guy who said it sounds like three kids in a garage. I've listened to a lot of metal and a lot of jazz for about 14 years and this doesn't really sound like either. Yes, I do listen to avante garde jazz as well, but this just sounded like dcking around and one riff over and over, all be it not a very good one. Maybe as a whole the record is better.

thereapersson_ 5/5/2007 7:04:41 AM

hrmm, go to their myspace and listen to a the tracks they have there. Actually rather neat; the track 13th moon is the best.

fk_ 5/6/2007 11:15:46 PM

this was such a f*cking good review. thank you ash. take notes, cory

anonymous 5/7/2007 11:18:42 PM

Great album.

frankie pachinsky junior_ 5/10/2007 12:42:37 PM

I agree with whoever said "meh"

chrisdrumsx_ 5/16/2007 4:12:45 PM

Good band, but people consider them to have a bit of jazz? this shit isn't jazzy at all. People need to get their head out of their ass.

Noname_ 5/27/2007 11:54:57 AM

Metal is a genre highly boring to follow, the reason of is this pain is perfectly illustrated by the comments here. Metal is also heard by a crowd of stupid kids with no education in life and music. That said, I am listening this album for first time and I feel this review is a strong exaggeration.