Stomp
Psychobilly has been so overdone in the past half-decade it’s going the way of the dinosaur. No one has the time or patience for the same thumping triplets over and again. Thankfully though while not alienating its core fans Detroit’s Koffin Kats has managed to subtly shift away from that dying sub-genre with its fifth effort Forever for Hire . Finding solid footing on the more punk-oriented side of the fence tracks such as “Nostrovia” “Wild Ride” and “Her Name Was Rock ’n’ Roll” feature vocals heavily influenced by Dave Vanian of The Damned with elements of Youth Brigade’s throaty croon. That old-school punk feel is bolstered by an eerie atmosphere relayed via the band’s upbeat attack and endlessly churning rhythms.
The majority of Forever for Hire feels like a bouncing ride in some flaming hot rod all the better since former genre leader Tiger Army has abandoned its formative hyperactive punk-with-hints-of-rockabilly in favour for whatever the fuck they do now. While Koffin Kats won’t earn any points for pure originality the band’s raucous enthusiasm and ability to nail down a great hook is enough to carry it through as the heir to the punkabilly throne.
