MadDogCole

MadDogCole (Ultra Violence)
Note: unfortunately after this release, all members except Mark Cole had left.
Lineup:
Mark MadDog Cole - Vocals
Jim Jeffries - Guitar
Choppy Lambourne - Double Bass
Lee Barnett - Drums

Front man Mark Cole is known well through out the psychobilly community with his unique voice and past career with Psycho outfit The Krewmen during the 80's. It only made sense for the man with the voice, to come back after all those years and release a good album.

This album has a few songs that are memorable to say the least, but overall the album does lack some excitement.
The Lonesome Kings track Hell is what I'm used to is killer, as Mark brings down the line with his mighty vocals, as he describes his evil side. MadDog's back is the iconic song of the album, that describes what the damn title says...the howlin MadDog's back and no one is safe!

The ninth song is not your typical psychobilly song, Just Cos You Don't deals with the isolation and attitude of the psycho culture and what it deals with everyday. Very Strong and powerful lyrics like "Just cause i don't look like you doesn't make me a fucking freak!" lyrics like that don't just lie to your face, but ultimately shows the listener how strong the psycho attitude is.

Torched is one of my two favorite of the tracks on the album, it very much reminds me of the old Krewmen we all loved. Very fast bass playing, and guitar work keeps this song from sinking.

The title track Ultra Violence is the other favorite song, as it is not only fast, but, very good and catchy.

On the other hand, with such great songs their are songs that could of been avoided..
Two songs that do not fit on the album are in fact covers.
Walk the line is probably one of the most over played and covered rockabilly tracks, ever recorded. Not that Mark Cole doesn't do it bad or anything, but i only wish it could of been another Cash song to say the least.
Another cover is done to the psychedelic Garage band The Outcasts track I'm In Pittsburgh and It's Raining. It's good to see that boys of MadDogCole haven't forgotten their roots in garage music, and how it has history in psychobilly, but it isn't working for the album.

At the end of the day, the album leaves me with a feeling of wanting more. I wished some tracks could of been replaced with something more unique. Good to listen and appreciate a band that writes songs on things that have nothing to deal with the ideal subject such as zombies, and graveyard. Also the instruments are amazing on the album don't get me wrong, but i do get a feeling i could play this album though without thinking each song is a different track.
7/10