| Musical Style: Speed Metal/Thrash | Produced By: George Ochoa |
| Record Label: Intense / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1991/2020 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 17 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: 51:55 |
What A Joke represents a transitional period in the history of Deliverance. Having recorded two of the more groundbreaking albums to come out of the Christian metal scene in the melodic speed metal and thrash of Intense Records releases Deliverance and Weapons Of Our Warfare from 1989 and 1990 respectively, the group was at a crossroads musically. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jimmy P. Brown II, a veteran of the speed metal and thrash scenes since the mid-eighties, desired to take Deliverance in a different direction, while guitarist George Ochoa, just getting his feet wet far as either style concerns, wished to stay the musical course. It led to the two butting heads and ultimately going their separate ways but not before recording 1991 third Deliverance album What A Joke (also Intense).
Along with clashes over musical direction, other distractions came in the form of the groups demanding tour schedule in support of Weapons…, which prevented it from putting in the time needed to work on new material ahead of recording What A Joke. In the words of Brown, “I threw together all those riffs in a matter of weeks and we rehashed a bunch of old songs because we just did not have anything”. He further sums things up: “We went into record What A Joke and inevitably it was. I hate bagging (on it) but it wasn’t a very good record”.
I find the artist a bit harsh in his assessment in that when at its best, What A Joke embodies the trademark Deliverance speed metal and thrash sound, albeit not quite melodic as the first two albums. Where the artist has a point, however, is that despite having its share of choice moments, What A Joke presents with too much filler, joke songs and throwaways to rank alongside its revered predecessors. Go beneath the surface and the album feels more like an EP rounded with just enough chaff to fall within full length territory.
When placed side by side, the Garcia and Colwell version each sound very good, albeit bringing slight differences. Garcia presents with a darker, more low-end expansive feel but retains the signature Deliverance heaviness. Colwell reveals a slightly louder but also crisper sound in allowing guitars to standout further and elevating group’s energy in the process. It is a classic cannot go wrong either way scenario, albeit you have to go with Retroactive for having the better packaging and sticking with the original cover art.
What A Joke opens to a pair of songs in “Prophet Of Idiocy” and “Pseudo Intellectual” that would form the foundation of any solid Deliverance album. Former, at three and a half minutes, proves a full on and all out thrash fest instinctive to the type of blinding riffs, fragmenting drums and aggressive gang shouted backing vocals to speak of the intrusive. Ochoa decimates the competition on lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
The preacher speaks his idiocy
In the name of prophecy
Submit to me to be allowed
Into the ministry
He knows what to say
To make you feel good
But your mind is plagued with confusion
Something's left not understood
Latter, at just over seven, starts to a calm and nonchalant instrumental intro to “Ramming Speed” off Stay Of Execution. At just the moment you think it might be a ‘mellow’ song, however, buzz saw guitars crash in as tempo takes off in unrelenting fashion to Brown’s lower register vocal abilities and penchant for compact as it gets rhythm guitar. Song turns surprisingly melodic for the extended harmony driven instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
Blind leading the blind
Professors in our universities
Saying the Bible doesn't compare
To scientific proof
I got news for you, the Bible is historic literature
Has survived the scrutiny of the likes of you
Beware
Pseudo intellectual
You walk in utter darkness
Pseudo intellectual
Professing to be wise, you've become a fool
Mayhem carries over to “A Product Of Society”, a momentum based pile-driving cut plowing its distance in no-nonsense fashion as the band locks into a hostile groove that brings to mind the angst of the self-titled debut. No, not necessarily the most melodic - again, Brown sings in a lower register compared to exhibiting the upper end to his delivery - but exuding unabated power all the same. Lyric snippet:
A product of society,
Feelings are not inbred
I'm made to feel no sympathy
I may as well be dead
I know my life means more than this
But selfishness has been my creed
Is there a way to feel again
To remove this rotted seed.
Albums title track hints of the technical metal direction Deliverance would take on subsequent releases. Yes, the group’s crunch heavy emphasis remains, upheld throughout the mid-tempo verse sections backed by Kevin Lee’s mauling double kick drum, but also a more engaging side, as found in the curtly woven but immediately engaging refrain. As for the 2014 version, it cuts a minute off the original length while filing Brown singing in a higher register. Otherwise, it presents with fuller production, particularly from a low-end standpoint, albeit guitars do not quite make the same overruling statement. Lyric snippet:
Want to be intellects spew
"There is no God"
Proving themselves fools, liars and frauds
Remnant prays this battle against evil
against those who perceive they are right
They've not stolen, murdered or destroyed
God must let them in!
What a joke, God will laugh at their calamity
What a joke, He will mock when their terror comes
What a joke, despising knowledge, choosing not to fear
What a joke, complacency of fools will destroy
Three re-recorded cuts round out the better What A Joke material. My favorite is Black Sabbath cover “After Forever, straight on metal in design with its choice guitar harmonies, lively bass and unmistakable melody, but I am also inclined towards Christmas metal piece “Silent Night”, gravitating from an allayed acoustic guitar intro to crunch heavy guitars to thrash flavored instrumental moments. California Metal cut “Attack” is third. What A Joke presents with a rawer (and better) take on the song, translating with elevated energy levels revealed in a greater distorted guitar sound and gruffer vocal performance from Brown.
Remaining What A Joke material to put it bluntly falls off a cliff. There are five songs under a minute each that are not worth commenting in addition to two others with food-based themes, “Purgatory Sandwich With Mustard” and “Chipped Beef” (yes a musical rendering of a recipe for chipped beef). Final two include “It’s The Beat”, two minutes of thrash with an almost extreme feel, noting guest vocalist Roger Martinez (Vengeance Rising), that is not my cup of tea, and “J.I.G.”, of similar length but more in line with my tastes as a molten thrash metal worship number.
When factoring the positives and negatives, What A Joke adds up to a medium-good but nowhere near great Deliverance album. Its better material is vastly underrated, but you also get the feeling the group was not putting its full heart into the project either. Still, if “Prophet Of Idiocy”, “Pseudo Intellectual” and “What A Joke” are any indication of Deliverance’s abilities at the time, I see it coming up with a classic to rank with the first two albums if given time. Still, What A Joke presents with enough above the line material to at the very least qualify as a very solid EP, all the more if you like some of the ‘joke’ songs. Regardless, if a Deliverance fan or into the speed metal and thrash genres, make the upgraded Retroactive re-issue to What A Joke a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Introduction” (:17), “Prophet Of Idiocy” (3:27), “Pseudo Intellectual” (7:15), “Cheeseburger Maker Du” (:08), “What A Joke” (6:21), “Chipped Beef” (2:04), “After Forever” (5:26), “It’s The Beat” (1:58), “A Production Of Society” (4:42), “Happy Star” (:06), “J.P.D.” (:17), “Pray” (:41), “Silent Night” (5:00), “J.I.G.” (2:59), “Purgatory Sandwich With Mustard” (2:59), “Attack” (3:40), “What A Joke” (5:24)
Musicians
Jimmy P. Brown II - Vocals, Guitars & Talk Box
George Ochoa - Guitars
Mike Grato - Bass
Kevin Lee - Drums
Guest Musicians
Roger Martinez - Lead Vocals
