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Satanic Surfers

Taste The Poison
2005
Bad Taste

Satanic Surfers - Taste The Poison (Cover Artwork)

Review by: AlmostPunkEnough
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Published on September 13th 2005

First of all, I don't think there are any plans to release this album in the U.S.*, which is a damn shame. Taste The Poison is an extremely solid piece of melodic skatepunk, and easily one of the band's best releases.

From what I gather, the Satanic Surfers are reasonably popular in Europe, and especially in their native Sweden. Though they've sold over 200,000 records worldwide, they never really had a good underground following in America, at least not to the extent of fellow Swedes Millencolin, or even T(I)NC. This is presumably because they've never had a full U.S. tour... or actually played any shows at all in the U.S. as far as I know, though I very well may be wrong.

If anyone is unfamiliar with the band, they play extremely fast melodic skatepunk. Think of pretty much any 90's Epitaph skatepunk band, speed it up a bit, make it catchy as fuck, and you've got the Satanic Surfers.

The overall sound of Taste The Poison isn't much of a departure from any of their previous albums, though it's a definite improvement over 2002's Unconsciously Confined, which saw the band's songwriting decrease in complexity. This record is more of a return to the style of my personal favorite Surfers album, Going Nowhere Fast. The drumming is pretty fast, but it's not all just midless pounding, as there's some original ideas shown here and there. The guitars are your usual skatepunk fare, with maybe a little more metalic riffing than normal, and damn technically proficent. The bass is handled well, though I find it's not quite high enough in the mix, sometimes being drowned out. Everything comes together really fucking tight. The vocals are fantastic if you enjoy this type of music, with just the right amount of variety, and harmonies that are absolutely spot on perfect. This album will have you singing along at the top of your lungs.

Lyrically, I wouldn't say this is outstanding, but I'll give them a pass as I assume their first language isn't English. Considering this fact, though, the lyrics are pretty strong, and certainly better than the majority of American pop-punk bands, and they can write a better song than I can write a review (which isn't saying much). A few songs tend to get a little corny, such as the cheesy as hell titled "U+I R1," which is, of course, what they chose as the first MP3 they released, silly Swedes. Aside from that, the album is generally about politics, both personal ("Weight On My Shoulders") and governmental ("Lead Us To The Gallows," "Down In Fire"). There seems to be a lot of venting going on here, and the record is better off for it.

All in all, this obviouly isn't going to change music or reinvent punk, but then again, who wants it to? I just wanted a good, true skatepunk CD, which is getting somewhat rare these days (at least compared to the flood of metalcore and Tatecore garbage still spewing from seemingly everywhere). The Surfers deliver an album that is even better than I ever hoped it would be. If you want a new and original sound, this ain't it. But if you just want a kickass slab of non-whiny punk that makes you wanna jump around like an asshole and sing along as loud as you can, you can't go wrong with Taste The Poison. The highest praise I can give this album is that if you're a fan of the genre, it's without a doubt worth whatever the import price is.

MP3
U+I R1

One last note: I actually think that MP3 is one of the album's weakest tracks. Standouts would include:

"Weight On My Shoulders"
"Restless Anger"
"Who Prospers?"
"False Ambitions"
"Down In Fire"

* - [Editor's Note: Site policy usually dictates that we hold off on posting reviews of releases until their North American release date. This record was released yesterday in Europe, as it's the only geographical location Bad Taste Records distributes to. AlmostPunkEnough is correct about no release being in the works for the U.S., as well as North America in general, so we're forgoing the rules temporarily so there's at least one Swedish punk group who doesn't get the shaft for their album not being out in the U.S.]

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Posted by FAST_ED on 2006-02-17 19:02:50
My Score:

Just got it. Yep, it rips. Fans of SS won't be dissapointed.

Posted by FAST_ED on 2006-02-01 16:16:46

Cant wait to get this. From what i've heard it's fucking killer.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 7, 2005 at 5:14 PM (EDT)

DOWN IN FIRE- absolutly fantastic!!

Posted by Smirnoff on 2005-09-28 18:12:11
My Score:

God Damn it!

This is the best CD of the year, in my opinion offcourse =)

Just awesome m/

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 26, 2005 at 2:40 PM (EDT)

hey guys!
I´m from germany, I saw the surfers four times live! the last time in the actual instrumentation, what you guys in the u.s. are missing can't be replaced by bands like millencollin or even no fun at all!
so they are really popular over here and the records can't be compared to their live shows, they're much better live!

hope you'll get to see them!
xxx timo

Posted by Guttermou on 2005-09-25 18:01:03

For the people interested in having news about the appereance of Satanic Surfers Venerea FoursQuare` Not Available Airbag Hook Anykey Nunnery Slipless Krew
20e
and the JrErwing Dead Man on Campus The Vicious Five Le Search 10e
25e both things together
on 18th and 19th november in Barcelona (friday saturday)

please email manu@punkorlatex.com

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-09-16 15:44:59

Btw, what some find corny others find heartfelt.

i don't want it to sound like i like it less cause it's 'corny', and i completely agree that the songwriting here is from their hearts. if it wasn't i'm sure they'd pick a more popular genre and get huge. SS obviously does this for the love of their music. i do think the "You and I are One" would have been more effective as the title, but that doesn't really matter anyway.

like i said in the review, i don't care if it's cheesy, i know how much they care and i respect their songwriting. i'm sure if i wrote songs in Swedish or even Italian, which i knda know, it would sound asinine. i give the dudes a lot of credit.

also, i love this cd like it's a ten, and for huge fans of the genre, it's damn near perfection.

i'm really glad there's so many people here who like/love the Surfers and this CD, now FUCKING RELEASE IT HERE!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 16, 2005 at 8:55 AM (EDT)

Just meant to add that i liked the review, all the tracks you mentioned are top class. Lead Us To The Gallows and Blood on the Sidewalk are two of my favs.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 16, 2005 at 8:55 AM (EDT)

Just meant to add that i liked the review, all the tracks you mentioned are top class. Lead Us To The Gallows and Blood on the Sidewalk are two of my favs.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 16, 2005 at 8:45 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Some of Rodrigo's best songwriting, as much 'restless anger' as ever, and the best ever production for a Satanic cd. As a satanic fanatic, i give it 5 stars. Only Going Nowhere Fast and Fragments and Fractions are better. Btw, what some find corny others find heartfelt.

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-09-15 16:06:57

Danielson666, you're pretty much dead on, i didn't mention the new member cause i think they joined before the last album.

and i'd love to see them and Venerea. lucky bastard.

Posted by Ignitedude on 2005-09-15 16:05:41
My Score:

Awesome album.

Certainly well worth picking up if your a fan of the Skatepunk genre.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 12:07 PM (EDT)

hey Danielson666, you got any more details on the festival in barcelona that the satanic surfers are playing at? dates, other bands, etc? im going to be driving around the spain in a campervan in november, would love to catch these guys playing.

Posted by Danielson666 on 2005-09-15 11:43:18
My Score:

Ok, first off this album is excellent from start to finish. This album extremely different than the Surfers last 2 releases "Fragments & Fractions" and " Unconciously Confined". The Surfers picked up two new members "Andy Dahlström - Bass" & "Robert Samsonovitz(ADHESIVE) - Drums". This album is very aggressive compared to the last albums. The cd is filled with stand up and fight lyrics and chorus's that will not get out of your head. The original reviewer posted U I R1 as an mp3, but I suggest you order this album if you want to hear the real fire. Go to BadtasteRecords.Se and pick it up. I'll be flying with some buddies to Barcelona in November to see the Satanic Surfers @ The Punk or Latex Festival w/ Venerea. It's going to be sick. Anyways, if you like skatepunk and miss that feeling of 96, check this out you won't be dissapointed!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 5:57 PM (EDT)

This band rules, end of story.

- Kirby

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-09-14 15:11:06

the king of the elephant walk doesnt get any privalege as far as line placement...he gets to keep the video tape when they are done and obviously will pleasure himself with it

- jones

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-09-14 02:30:56

coming from king of the elephant walk though, takes some of the sting out of it

ok, i'm stealing your little italic-ness cause it looks cooler than just quotes. anyway, what exactly would be the benefit of being the king of the elephant walk? does that mean you get to go first or last? seriously, which would be a 'better' place in line?

to the person who asked if the sound like No Fun At All. not exactly, though it's similar. i love NFAA, and i can definitley say if you like them you'll like this.

and Dante, i don't know about this man-n-slide you speak of, but i'm gonna have to check it out. pointless story: my ex-gf and her roomate handed out a shitload of free condoms and anal-ease for her sorority (feel free to make all the slut comments you want) and we still had an assload (GET IT??!) left over. so me and my friend squeezed it all over the hallway of the dorms, literally hundreds of tiny sample bottles and had the greatest drunken slip and slide ever. some kid got a mild concusion slaming into someones door, it was awesome. though it took me about 4 showers to get all the lube off of me and out of my hair and stunk lke that shit in the hall for weeks.

Posted by trolley on 2005-09-13 21:49:06

I've always loved these guys. I can't wait to hear this album. Thank god for torrents until it gets released in NA.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 4:40 PM (EDT)

Not that I don't still get homosexual urges, it's just that those urges don't make me listen to SS. Those urges make me oil myself up and roll down the man-n-slide.
-Dante

Posted by fistchode on 2005-09-13 16:34:26

Do they sound like No Fun At All? I like No Fun At All quite a bit.

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-09-13 15:04:33

Jones, if i had mentioned a beautiful river would that make you more inclined to check it out?

ouch....

that hurts more than when you called me gay right after... coming from king of the elephant walk though, takes some of the sting out of it

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-09-13 14:41:18

Dante, you're getting non-homosexual ugers?? i don't even know who you are anymore....

Jones, if i had mentioned a beautiful river would that make you more inclined to check it out? you really should though, i think you might like it. of course, i thought you might like girls, but i was waaaaay off.

i had no idea that so many people had postive things to say about this album, good times.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 2:01 PM (EDT)

i saw them play in toronto in 97. good show, but kind of boring with the drummer singing.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 1:46 PM (EDT)

And the first "capital" is meant to be "capacity". Damnit.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 1:45 PM (EDT)

"From what I gather, the Satanic Surfers are reasonably popular in Europe, and especially in their native Sweden"

They didn't sell out a 600 capital venue in the capital.
And millencolin who're supposedly "huge" here didn't sell more than 1300 to their latest headline gig.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 12:58 PM (EDT)

They're releasing this record in Canada on the 27'th, and on their website it says they're planning to do their first U.S. tour in support of this album.

Posted by Inspection12e on 2005-09-13 12:00:35

One band I could never get into.

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-09-13 12:00:09

i had no idea this was a swedish band. but i never really listened to them. i think i have only heard there name thrown around a little a few years ago. maybe i check it out if this band is lucky

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 11:13 AM (EDT)

I hate your review only because I've written like three thus far that have yet to be posted. Anyhow, I do love this band. They're not a band I can listen to everyday, but I certainly do get in urges (you know the non-homosexual kind) and when I do I needs to hear some SS. Nice review too.
-Dante
P.S. I'm not actually bitching I know there are like a gajillion reviews in que.

Posted by pastepunk on 2005-09-13 10:24:10

This disc is phenomenal... makes me have warm thoughts of 1996 all over again. I'd hesitate in saying they don't have much of a US following as they've had multiple albums distributed in the US on popular labels (Epitaph & Hopeless). This can be ordered from Bad Taste's website, www.badtasterecords.se, and I don't believe shipping to the US is all that much.

Posted by jbigwig on 2005-09-13 09:20:03

The Surfers are a great band and I must say that their release "Hero of our Time" was one of the first punk albums I ever owned.

Too bad Rodrigo doesn't kill it on the drums anymore because to watch that guy drum and keep the melodies that he did was a pretty damn cool sight to see. None the less I'm stoked to see if this is better than their last.

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-09-13 05:39:55

Mute98, i didn't really mean to sound like i didn't like the song, i really do. in my opinion i just woulda picked a different first single, i don't know if 'U I R1' really has the same feeling as the rest of the disc, and it kinda reminds me of some other song which i can't think of (it's been pissing me off for days).

Posted by psychoos231 on 2005-09-13 04:33:09
My Score:

oh no US. release.
I'll download the album then.

Posted by psychoos231 on 2005-09-13 04:32:02
My Score:

Good review sir, I'll have to check the record.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 4:32 AM (EDT)

when do you review the new RANDY album?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 4:30 AM (EDT)
My Score:

worst band ever

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 4:09 AM (EDT)

jag älskar Satanic Surfers!

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-09-13 04:08:03

holy shit!! this got posted. this is my first actual CD review, so sorry if it's awful. i really love this album.

Posted by Mute98 on 2005-09-13 02:09:18
My Score:

i fucking love this cd

U I R 1 was actually one of my favs haha

Posted by blade-runner on 2005-09-13 02:08:41
My Score:

Pretty Fun

Posted by inagreendase on 2005-09-13 01:59:28
My Score:

Pretty good stuff. I can't see this getting much more play out of me, though.