Having formed out of a love of b-movies and punk rock, the SLM release their debut recording of self-penned numbers having previously only been able to manage “bad Pixie cover songs” (their words, not mine) since which the SLM have invented their own genre of zombie shark-core.
The initial Pixies reference however is a little misleading, for the SLM play fast skate punk in keeping with the likes of NOFX and Pennywise, playing upbeat and fast tempo tunes whilst singing about zombies and sharks…
Opening with a classic sample from the film Jaws Death Aquatic gets underway and a song referencing the films main character in “My Name is Quint” setting the tone for what’s to follow, although in case this was a little too subtle the second track “Zombie Shark” sums up what the band are about.
There are also songs inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in particular the fast and heavy tune entitled “Attack of the Mousers” and despite its minimal lyrical content I believe “Terror of the Shredder” may also be a tip of the hat to an episode from our beloved superheroes.
It’s not all just about the lyrical content though for “Burn the Bodies” and “In the Head of a Zombie” also have some tight musicianship and there’s a bit of a ska-punk element to “Not a Good Day to be Alive” that breaks up the album nicely, but in case you’ve forgotten the concept behind the SLM it’s time for the rather daft (but annoyingly catchy) sing-a-long on “Return of Zombie Shark” complete with it’s surprising guitar solo.
Closing the album is “Buried and Forgotten” which is probably more like the band members other musical projects and with various local bands given the heads up in the sleeve notes Death Aquatic is definitely a credible addition to the underground music scene, although without crediting themselves in the aforementioned sleeve notes I can’t help but think the SLM missed an opportunity for some comedy pseudonyms…although I guess the name Rob Zombie has already been taken!
The production may be at times a little rough around the edges, but as you’ve no doubt gathered the SLM aren’t the most serious of outfits and for the price of only a handful of your English pounds the albums artwork is surely worth the money alone – after all, who can go wrong with a Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles riding a shark?
