The Empire Hideous- Body of Work

Fans who discovered The Empire Hideous through 2004's Say Your Prayers (or the tell-all account of touring with the Misfits in band founder Myke Hideous's autobiography) finally have a chance to hear the band's earliest efforts, thanks to this collection of out-of-print material on Hell's Hundred Records. The earliest material, from The Empire Hideous's eponymous 12" vinyl, is some of the most dynamic, despite its raw feel. "Wild Wife" is like The Damned and The Sisters Of Mercy rolled together with a hint of Motörhead, and "Devious Child" is gritty dark punk in the vein of Lords Of The New Church. "Towers Of Empty Hallways" is slower and moodier, reminiscent of The Cure's more melancholy period, and "Letters From Puppets" is classic gothic rock, drenched in reverb and emotion. The material from the cassette EP This Evil On Earth is a bit more of a mixed bag. "Mr. Barnum" is classic, with Hideous showing a bit more vocal range and some nice flourishes on the chorus, but "Rhino" is plodding and a bit dated. Rounding out the album are six songs from 1994's Only Time Will Tell, with the speedy death rock of live favorite "Power The Empire" and the dramatic "Parasite's Bible" being particular highlights. The stripped-down bass and drums arrangement of "To Thread A Needle" gives Hideous a chance to show off his pipes, and the powerful bass line of "Kissing Your Poison" is a fine U.S. death rock song that stacks up favorably next to the work of such scene luminaries as Kommunity FK. While newcomers are still better off listening to the band's later, more polished material, this is a great insight into the early years of The Empire Hideous and belongs in every fan's collection.

Enter The Empire Hideous at www.empirehideous.com.