Formerly The VSS (with Sonny Kay) and Slaves, San Francisco's Pleasure Forever obvious crisis of identity seeps into their music combining prog, glam, punk and even a smattering of vaudeville/cabaret style leanings are thrown into the mix. It might seem that this multitude of musical stylings could turn their music into an unholy mess. Quite the contrary. Every song is lean and tightly played. David Clifford's bone crunching metallic drumming provides an ample backbone for Joshua Hughes' heavy, stripped down guitar phrasing whilst Andrew Rothbard supplies blues and glam riffs on keyboards and fuzzy, considerably distorted vocals.
To the bands considerable credit, the songs can be quite deceptive. Each can change in tone and mood quite subtly and seamlessly, making this album much more than just a casual listen. Rothbard's voice, always disguised, can elevate into an abrasive, banshee wail, making lyrics indistinguishable and melody hidden, leaving you with the power of his conviction. And powerful it can be too, as shown on Aeon Flame, Wicked Shivering Columbine and Gideon & Goliath.
Lyrically the album is filled with symbolism - religious, spiritual and mythical. The spectres of sex, violence and death hover throughout the album - Bleeding red all over I can hardly see/ Why they call it/ Murder/ Back down and round again - , but always kept at bay. The pomp and cabaret/glam rock nature of some of the tracks see to it that these themes are always played a little tongue in cheek but with an awesome power that makes you think twice.
Alter is a dark, atmospheric album. It's like being trapped in a dungeon with only the Marquis de Sade and John Milton for company; you've been gagged and blindfolded and they've been equipped with megaphones. Good stuff indeed.
|