Voetsek

Infernal Command

Selfmadegod Records 2008

Bay Area fastcore meets Bay Area thrash in a headlong collision.  That's essentially what you get when listening to California's Voetsek.  Blistering and nearly incomprehensible in its all out assault, Family Ties opens this 17 song, 21 minute album.  Terror on the Dance Floor reminds me of a Municipal Waste song with its gang-chorus approach.  Whereas WWLD's first half is a fastcore meltdown but then recovers with some humming thrash metal riffing.  AS soon as that song gives up Rethinking the Paradigm explodes with grindcore speed and ferocity.  The aptly titled Blueprint For A Perfect Circle Pit is up next and chugs along like 4 kids slamming in a thrashing pit.  Bully with a Badge mingles melodic metal leads and blindingly fast fastcore riff passages.  Five Years in Iraq is a straight-up politics fueled punk rant against the misguided Bush administration.  The album ends on a completely metal vibe with the melodic METAL riffing of Strange Fruit.  As soon as one song ends the next one is already punching you in the face which makes Infernal Command hectic, barely giving the listener a chance to catch their breath.  Ami Lawless' vocals are punk-ish and snotty, yet scathing at the same time.  Voetsek is an interesting Modern take on "crossover" thrash.  The album is seriously energetic but ends rather quickly with its 21 minute length.  But that is probably for the best as you feel drained from the albums intensity.  If you think that Municipal Waste should have been "punker" then you will truly appreciate what Voetsek is doing on Infernal Command.