| Musical Style: Metal / Hard Rock | Produced By: Die Happy |
| Record Label: Intense / Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1992 / 2020 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 49:14 |
Die Happy arrived with great expectations- after all, its lineup comprises four of the five original Vengeance Rising members in bassist Roger Dale Martin, drummer Glen Mancaruso and guitarists Doug Thieme and Larry Farkas. A change in musical direction, however, to metal and hard rock with strong groove and blues influences as opposed to aggressive Vengeance Rising style thrash, prompted a move vocally from the course, almost extreme flavorings of fifth member Roger Martinez. Enter new front man Robin ‘Kyle” Basauri, whom with a high end and soaring vocal presence with near unlimited range proves the perfect fit on the Die Happy 1992 Intense Records self-titled debut.
Repeat listen to Die Happy reveals the group a finely honed musical machine leaving little doubt how its veteran core roster has been performing together for literally years. The solidly locked in step rhythm section and accurately woven harmonies and riffs not to mention sophisticated soloing of the dual guitar attack aptly attest. Whereas vocals might be the fledgling aspect to the equation, they also play a key role in said transition to new musical territory. That said, it is also not without merit to suggest that - and Deliverance is an excellent example in this regard - those as noted previous thrash affects at moments notice rise to the surface!
Good news is that despite being an out of print and hard to find collectors item, Die Happy was re-mastered and re-issued in March of 2020 by Roxx Records as a limited edition Gold Disc Edition CD (300 copies) and vinyl release (200 splatter vinyl copies).. Expanded packaging (attributing to Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal) includes a professionally done mini booklet with vintage band photos, lyrics and liner notes along with an alternate version to the cover art.
Re-mastering (crediting Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) stays true to the raw and gritty feel to the original release but with an added dose of polish. Volume levels increase to modern levels in the process, with gist guitars conveying firmer edge and bite and low end projecting the further expansive presence.
Opener “Renaissance” is a strong indicator of the unyielding Die Happy sound. It gradually fades in to a rumbling bass solo before crashing guitars take over, powering its three minutes to outbursts of vehement emotion as Basauri’s high pitched ‘it goes on and on and on and on’ wails set the conspicuous tone.
”Perpetual Emotion” immediately cuts in at the more expedited tempo, plundering to raw edged guitars bleeding of the ardent but heightened from the embellished low end literally breathing above the mix. The second three-minute cut in a row, the song further reinforces the group’s penchant for the hard-edged but within an accessible framework. Lyric snippet:
The hands of knowledge
Have it under control
Our rebellious volition
Has taken its toll
We seek the truth
Then throw it away
We're such a bitter race
He set the world in motion
Perpetual motion
The wind and the ocean
Perpetual motion
Albums title track ensues with a drum solo opening to give way to an unyielding form covering its five-minute span. “Die Happy” impresses with its faster to slower time signatures, revealed in moments grooving with an almost chaotic feel and others decelerating as vocals soar with abandon. Thieme and Farkas stand out on lead guitar throughout an instrumental break of generous length. Lyric snippet:
Guilty of murder in the first degree
Sentenced to death in a chamber of gas
I'm led away to die
Thrown in alone in my final home
Am I really prepared to die?
I'm worthy of hell
Can you feel my pain?
Locked in a grave of concrete and gas
Fearing every breath my be my last
I fall down to pray on my knees
Lord, can you forgive me?
“Bone Doctor” is first track to touch upon those earlier thrash bearings, upping impetus to near speed metal territory as
Mancaruso’s hyper-aggressive drumming and turbulent rhythms prevail throughout. Some punk-like angst rise to the surface, divulged in the shouted (and very fitting) vocals and scorching guitar leads to make periodic appearance.
Speaking of which, “Cage” also rockets along with a similar spirited vibe. It impresses as a companion track to “Bone Doctor” - might the two have been written with VR in mind? - in yielding harsh Saint style backing vocals (‘building your cage!’) and muscular crunch guitar driven instrumental interlude. Lyric snippet:
You drink a pint just to start your day
And excellent way to build your cage
Afternoon rolls around too soon
So you drink some more just to get you through
It's a crying shame, and who's to blame
Your brothers and sisters
Or dad and mom for bringing you up wrong
I can't believe you can't see the signs
What is going on inside your mind
You're looking down and not ahead
The way you're going you'll soon be dead
“Real” does not back from the muscular aptitude either, with an ominous but low key entry point giving way to the grooving riff driven harmonies to power its span. Impetus might not quite reach the heights of its two predecessors, but “Real” slams all the same in interspersing battering thrash style guitars with those mirroring a more tepid feel. Soloing takes a bluesy form.
As does “Slide Rule” with its gradual instrumental fade in over its first minute prior to decelerating to a shuffling bluesy drawl. It is mid-paced hard rock the rest of the way, straightforward and no-nonsense in terms of the staunchly woven riffs but also beguiling from the searing mentality to the refrain taking the pensive allure to higher levels. Mid-point and ending instrumental portions help take “Slide Rule” out to six minutes. Lyric snippet:
The pains of life can bring you down
Leave your face flat on the ground
Pick yourself up without a frown
Forget the past
The past cannot be changed
We've come so far
And with great persistence
The world pollution is gaining resistance
Look to the prize, pick up the pace
We're gonna get our salvation
We've got to win this race
Bluesy leanings further reveal on “Painted Truth”, a short (three minute) but bare bones hard rocker maintaining the mid-paced bent. Early Rez Band, noting the bounding in and out of the mix rhythm guitars, and Kinetic Faith era Bride, leads again mirror the gritty, come to mind. Simple but not simplistic is the feel at hand. Good song.
Albums lone ballad “Celebration” rates with the albums best. The song sets a contrasting tone, calmly strolling its five and a half minutes as Martin’s earthy bass underpins expressive guitars tinctures all the while Basauri’s moving vocals remain a focal point. This one proves there is more to Die Happy than metal and hard rock with intermittent thrash leanings.
Another choice cut is “Melrose”, returning to metal territory with its ominous riff expansive instrumental lead in and maintaining the impending if not quite catchy designations lumbering ahead. The chugging riff mentality expands upon the hauntingly melodic footprints, as does the recurrent flailing rhythm section flare-ups. Lyric snippet:
Draw the veil form her eyes
Let them shine on my face
Let them warm my heart forever
So fragile and pale
Dissolves into ashes and fire
I give you this life
Consumed by your soul
Accept these words I have spoken
Place this on your hand
More precious than gold
A circle of love unbroken
Closing instrumental “Silver Cloud” comes across in the form of psychedelic blues driven groove with a Led Zeppelin vibe. The song coolly drifts its length trading off between moments of an atmospheric nature with feedback in the backend and those of a more uplifted capacity to see avalanche style guitars take over. Acoustic guitar covers the final seconds.
I am glad Die Happy received the much-needed facelift it deserves. No, the original was far from bad, but the Roxx Records re-issue takes things to the next level with improved re-mastering and enhanced packaging. As for musical acumen, the album presents with 11 equally good songs traversing metal and hard rock territory with strong riffs, melodies, harmonies and hooks. The veteran musicians making up the Die Happy roster perform ably, as does newcomer Basauri. If you missed Die Happy back in the day or are interesting in an upgraded version to the album, make the Roxx Records re-issue an immediate priority.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Renaissance” (3:11), “Perpetual Motion” (3:21), “Die Happy” (4:52), “Bone Doctor” (3:16), “Cage” (4:07), “Real” (5:10), “Slide Rule” (5:54), “Painted Truth” (3:11), “Celebration” (5:38), “Melrose” (4:12), “Silver Cloud” (6:05)
Musicians
Robin ‘Kyle’ Basauri - Lead Vocals
Doug Thieme - Guitars
Larry Farkas - Guitars
Roger Dale Martin - Bass
Glen Mancaruso - Drums
