I’m a pretty big Murder Party! fan and I’ve been patiently waiting for the full length follow up to their 2013 self-titled EP. The bad news is that I’m still waiting for that full length album. The good news is that they’ve given me seven new songs to hold me over until that day finally arrives. Appropriately released on Devil’s Night, Murder Party! II:A New Batch mostly picks up right where their previous six song EP left off. The Grand Rapids, MI based horror punk trio continues to combine elements 50’s rockabilly, 60’s doo wop, 90’s ska and of course, straight up 80’s punk rock. Think early Misfits meets Masked Intruder.

Opening track “Let’s Rumble” has a definite early rock and roll vibe. If Chuck Berry had written a song about a street fight, it probably would have sounded like this. “Bucky’s Doing Heroin” is more of a straight up punk rager. “Mind War” is a catchy shuffle with a chorus could have been sung by a Motown girl group. “Family Business” borrows a line from Megadeth, but sounds more like one of the twangy Johnny Cash prison songs. “Oh Boy” is a revved up version of the Buddy Holly golden oldie. “Zeke the Plumber” is a Halloween themed horror punk tune that seems destined to become a live staple.

Closer “Killing Time” is probably the most memorable track of the bunch. Main songwriter Tommy Gun might be homicidal, but he’s still a hopeless romantic. Murder Party!’s signature tune is “I’ll Kill, I Swear” from their debut EP. It’s one of my favorite songs in recent memory. While there’s nothing quite that catchy on II:A New Batch, the overall quality of the songs is probably higher. The lyrics are delivered in Gun’s unique wry shout. You can almost hear the wink and nod. The bass lines wander all over the place, avoiding the guitar doubling simplicity of a lot of punk rock. The guitar solos are both bluesy and frantic. The drums do everything from swing to thrash.

Murder Party! really pays close attention to detail on this release. The Gremlins inspired title and artwork are an especially nice touch. It even sticks with the band’s long running black, white and blood red theme. It was done by local GR artist Tyler Dykema, the man behind Skitchin’ Music Zine. It perfectly captures the subtle nuances of the individual band members (if they were evil Gremlins). Ultimately, Murder Party! makes music that’s fun to listen to. It’s music for people who watch slasher films to root for the killer. It’s music for people who picnic in graveyards. It’s music for people who laugh at the morbid and the absurd. If this sounds like you, you must check out Murder Party! II:A New Batch.