Death Alley 2001 Aces & Eights

After the ill-received Dirty Sanchez, Zeke's first (and last) record for the Epitaph label, the future seemed to be in a bit of limbo for the punk-fueled Seattle rockers. Rumors of a breakup began to circulate as the band themselves began claiming that they were disappointed with the way Dirty Sanchez turned out. Why so many seem to dislike that record I will never understand. I personally love it and rank it as my second favorite out of their entire discography.

It was not long after the band was dropped from Epitaph that I managed, via a friend of the band, to get my grubby little hands on a five song studio sessions CD. To say that I was blown away would be an understatement. The new tunes were simply amazing. In fact, after engaging in tape trades with certain people whom were likewise blown away, these five songs essentially secured the band an article in two high profile rags (Metal Maniacs and Kerrang). The new material found the band combining their ultra-intense, punk-ish brand of rock n' roll with classic metal: namely the twin lead guitar mastery of Iron Maiden and a heavy dose of Motorhead. I prayed the band would find a decent label and release a full albums worth of this brilliant mayhem. October 2001 saw my prayers answered via the amazing sixteen track, twenty-eight and one half minute long Death Alley, the first release for the Supersucker's Aces & Eights label.

Where to begin? Lets just say that Zeke have improved in every aspect of their game. Lyrically, the album delves into psycho/satanic/horror-movie-watching/biker territory while the musical recipe shapes up a bit like this: take the elements of classic Zeke, thicken the guitars up a bit, add a truckload of blistering lead guitar and sprinkle in a dose or two of swampy southern groove here and there. The only element the band has toned down in the slightest are Blind Marky Felchtone's (now referred to as Mark Of The Beast, by the way) vocals. Hell, after his sickeningly harsh performance on "Dirty Sanchez" it's a wonder the guy even has a voice left.

As for the songs - damn, I love every one of em. So much so that it would be pretty pointless for me to try and highlight personal favorites. "Jack Torrance" and "Evil Dead" are both destined to be horror inspired classics, while "Eyes Of Satan" is pure early 80's Venom. "Arkansas Man" and the ending to "The River" are groove heavy, southern psycho-boogie heaven. "Evil Woman" slows the pace down a bit, bringing classic Halford-era Judas Priest to mind. Need I say more?

These Zeke guys are onto something exciting here. While bands like The Crown and Six Feet Under combine trace elements of rock with death metal (commonly referred to as "Death N' Roll"), Death Alley finds Zeke combining classic metal, Motorhead and Venom with their already over-the-top brand of rock n' roll. Go fetch yourself a copy of Death Alley and spend some quality time disturbing the neighbors peace. And be careful if you "Zeke and drive", as playing music this powerful in the car could easily land one with a nice collection of speeding/wreckless driving offenses. You've been warned...

Review by Mike Rutherford

http://www.chedsey.com/list/zeke.htm

"Lyrically, the album delves into psycho/satanic/horror-movie-watching/biker territory "
I wonder if Music Angel would like hehe
tell me honestly, Ice, this is not a fake band that you invented?
Anyways, I like the songs names, Let’s Get Drugs, Rip & Destroy ,Drunk,I Don’t Give a Fuck ,Horror at Red Hook,Fucked Up City,Automatic, 1999

jnoel said:

They really are/were a band (they just broke up) and they are/were for real!!!

They rocked out harder than ANYONE in the universe.

http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-...n_srch_txt

or their official website:

http://www.zekeyou.com

or a sample of the song "Automatic"

http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-...source=wmf


...
[This message was edited Tue Jul 30 13:02:02 PDT 2002 by IceNine]

"They really are/were a band (they just broke up) and they are/were for real!!!
They rocked out harder than ANYONE in the universe."

It's sad I knew a great lyricist for them:
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH EVERYBODY HOW YOU TELL ME YOU WOULD LOVE TO FUCK MY KIDS... FAG LIKE AaRON! ... JUST GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEADS PRINCE DONT WANT YOU GUYS...HE WANTS WOMAN!!!ARRON IS A CHILD MOLESTER!!! AARON POOK HERO OF THE DAY...GO FUCK HIM...HE FUCKS CHILDREN AND ANIMALS …IceNine… you think you are THEE higher power within yourself. YOU ARE NOT! I DARE YOU TO GO TO BED ONE NIGHT AND DARE HIM (GOD) FROM YOUR HEART...Lets see if you believe in him then…EVEVYONE who responded to this thread... IS GOING TO HELL!

jnoel said:

Those are some clever lyrics! She could get a job with a death metal band... they could flay her alive on stage... they wouldn't use her lyrics... they would just kill her.

"they could flay her alive on stage" LMAO , it could be a great "dada" performance hehe

jnoel said:

Very artsy while performing a utilitarian function as well!

By the way...


ZEKE!!!


WOOOHOOO!

I thought that I would mention that ZEKE ROCK!!!


WoooHooo!