ARTIST: Vertigo Venus
ALBUM: Run for Your Lives
LABEL: DSBP
REVIEWER: Matthew J.
DATE: 3-17-08

Start by imagining the irreverent industrial music of Mindless Self Indulgence, then cross that with the even more irreverent punk stylings of both The Dead Kennedys and The Dead Milkmen. Add the novelty metal of Gwar and Green Jelly, a little bit of exotica and lounge, and maybe a hint of death metal groove. You still won't really have any idea of what Vertigo Venus sounds like, but at least you'll be a little bit closer. The only way to really understand this album is to hear it yourself, but phrases like "obscenely funny" and "sonically eclectic" are probably safe descriptions. "New Face" and "Bang Bang Bang" are probably the closest to conventional industrial rock, the first featuring raw synthesizers and squealing guitars over a hard bass-heavy groove, the latter combining caterwauling keyboards and deadpan vocals with funky drum machine programming. "I Was God," with its growled German vocals and crunching guitars, comes off as almost a parody of the industrial metal of such acts as Rammstein and Eisbrecher. "Monday Morning" is abrasive, experimental punk in the vein of Alternative Tentacles acts like Nomeansno and Alice Donut, and "The Cock Song" is unabashed musical comedy set to New Wave guitars. Most of the band's material is either blatantly comedic or satirical; even the moodier pieces like "Vampire Hunter C" and "His Last Curse" are more parody than homage. This is too rough around the edges to make it onto the Dr. Demento Show, but fans of bands like The Gothsicles or the aforementioned Mindless Self Indulgence, not to mention classic punk and New Wave, are encouraged to check out this one-of-a-kind act.

Check out www.vertigovenus.com to hear Vertigo Venus for yourselves!