Spitfire
Cult Fiction Goodfellow Records

by Matthew Hoffman
Staff Writer

Comments: Labeled a metal-core band Spitfire is more of an "avant garde" instrumentally gifted jam band than that moniker. After all how many hardcore or metal core bands use piano?

Their latest full length release is out now on Goodfellow Records and is entitled Cult Fiction. The first thing you notice is the extremely offensive yet intriguing cover photo. It's a woman lying nearly upside down, void of any clothes, with an evil rotten skull protruding from her pelvic region.

Now that we have your undivided attention (you sick freaks) the album is chock full of really unique and creative instrumentation. It does however have many songs where the extreme vocals of Jon Spencer do not match the vibrant instrumentation. Virtually the first half of the CD is full of such songs which frustrate the hell out of the listener that wonders what could have been.

Cult Fiction rebounds and delivers several excellent songs on the second half of the disc but it may be a case of too little too late for the Virginians. The vocals struggle to match the music as well as being subpar for any of the dark metal genres they resemble. Often the outstanding guitar of Matt Beck and Dan Tulloh are soaring and manipulating the mind and then the vocals crash in and ruin the desired effect.

Drum beats from the hands of Chris Raines also excel here with odd timed as well as civilized more conventional techniques.

The topics covered include environmental destruction of our Planet, spirituality and drug abuse, some weighty choices for sure.

Spitfire does well musically to represent their views on these issues for sure and many times you will have to stop and think.

The bottom line here is that this is a long excellent "musical" album that would be significantly better served if it was an instrumental release, and this is surely a band that would be much better live then on a compact disc.

Even with its limitations, it s recommended for purchase strictly for its exceptional musicality!

Musicians:
Matt Beck - guitar
Chris Raines - drums
Jon Spencer - vocals
Dan Tulloh - guitar

Track Listing:
1. Arrhythmia Drift
2. Chemo Therapist
3. Apnea 1
4. Crossed
5. Mother Earth in Labor
6. Dawn Patrol
7. Animal Kingdom of Heaven's Gate
8. Track Marxist
9. Brain Debris
10. Pro-Life
11. Meth Monster
12. Meat Maker
13. Apnea 2
14. In Vitro

Hardrock Haven rating: 6.3/10