Best Music of the '80s: Glenn Danzig's "Danzig I"

Although he's seldom credited for launching the horror punk genre or influencing the careers of numerous musicians around the world, Glenn Danzig has definitely left his cursed mark upon the face of the music industry.

His most accessible work, "Danzig I," still stands as a record of high quality rock 'n' roll and is the benchmark by which others have been compared.

Danzig's musical career started in the late '70s when he started the punk group The Misfits with original bassist and current band leader Jerry Only in their hometown of Lodi, N.J. By the mid-'80s The Misfits had self-destructed through conflicts between Danzig and Only for control of the group. Afterward, Danzig started Samhain, a more extreme punk band that bridged the gap into heavy metal and drew upon the main theme of darkness and gore.

In 1988, "Danzig I" was released on American Recordings. It was ambitious for the time for sure. Fellow record mates Slayer capitalized on extreme sounds and themes, but Danzig was known for being a crooner. He also wrote the majority of his own music, including the instrumentation. Eerie Von joined Danzig on the album from his days with Samhain on bass. John Christ plays lead guitar, providing some of the most memorable and learned riffs in guitar-dom. Chuck Biscuits' pounding drum work is at the forefront of each song.

When it comes to quality, "Danzig I" is one of the best heavy metal albums ever engineered. The quality is astounding in terms of individuality of instruments and the precise mixing for an all inclusive, but distinct sound throughout.

Danzig's selection of songs is also perfect. The start with "Twist of Cain" and "Am I Demon" set just the right pace of heaviness while keeping it stylistically Danzig. "She Rides The Night" produces a perfectly placed break in intensity, producing a haunting yet sensually pleasing addition.

Of course, this is also the album that features the hit single, "Mother." If I had a dime for every time my friends got drunk at a party and sang along to "Mother," well, I'd have at least 50 cents.

The term "heavy metal" shouldn't scare those more into hard rock away, though. Anyone into the stuff like AC/DC might find this material worthwhile. But that seems to be what keeps Danzig at the level he's at -- too extreme for punk; not extreme enough for mainstream metal. But for those who enjoy his music, they wouldn't have it any other way.

"Danzig I" can be purchased online at these location:
Amazon:
http:///www.amazon.com
Tower Records
http://www.tower.com
CD Universe
http://www.cduniverse.com
Music Stack
http:///www.musicstack.com
Google Markets
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