When the other three members of the almighty S.O.D. went back to their full-time bands in the wake of "Speak English or Die", notorious frontman Billy Milano plodded onward, debuting his new band M.O.D. (Method of Destruction) in 1987 with the very S.O.D.-esque crossover classic "U.S.A. for M.O.D." LP. And for most people, that's where it ends: The be all and end all of M.O.D.'s existence. Well, that's gotta change, and that's all there is to it.
I've gotta say, after a couple of other somewhat lackluster records in the late-80's with an entirely different lineup, the band's fourth full-length, "Rhythm of Fear", released in 1992 on Megaforce, is arguably their finest work. Milano handled bass in addition to vocals, with Dave Chavarri on drums (who later played with Ill Niño and Merauder, among others, and had previously served in thrash acts like Gothic Slam and Laaz Rockit), but the real kicker was "U.S.A. for M.O.D." guitarist Tim McMurtrie coming back into the fold with a shitload of badass mosh parts in tow. For my money this album demonstrates the real "Milano Mosh"!
Say what you will about Billy Milano's over the top sense of humor, but this is a damn near flawless album. I'm talking perfect recording, sick riffs, catchy songwriting, the works. This is by far one of the most inexplicably overlooked records of all time—I've loved every minute of this thing for more than 13 years now, and it still stands up without fail to this day. 12 tracks, about 31 minutes, every song's a keeper. And despite the politically incorrect humor that built the band's reputation in the early days, the lyrics on this disc are actually a far cry from that whole vein, making for a fun listen that's not out there in that sense. And the riffs!? The fucking riffs, man! I don't even know what to say, anyone who listens to late-80's thrash and 90's hardcore that doesn't drool over these riffs is a fuckin' jackass. End of story.
Admittedly I haven't paid much attention to anything the band has done since this record, as it's simply not possible to top either "Rhythm of Fear" or "U.S.A. for M.O.D." at this point, so in the end I guess I can understand why so many people overlooked "Rhythm of Fear" in the first place. But it's still available new or used, so it's time to remedy that fucking problem right now:
Comments
Good post, again. This blog is shaping up to be the best HxC-related thing on the net. Hands down.
I used to hate Billy Milano’s fat ass, but even I have to admit that these tracks are face-melting….never would have guessed it…damn.
12.5.2005 | By Anonymous
Sounds a lot sick SOD
12.5.2005 | By MaxThrash
Been listening to some old Guilt lately, too. I’ve never been the least bit ‘emo’ or whatever, but ‘Bardstown Ugly Box’ kicks fuckin’ ASS.
I never shoulda sold it.
It wouldn’t kill me to plunk down a couple bucks for a used one, tho.
12.5.2005 | By Ian Swider
Sounds like a sick S.O.D.?
Um..yeah.
What’re you, 15?
12.5.2005 | By Ian Swider
Well, it’s never too late.
Good for you, kid.
...and stop watching so much Headbangers Ball, for fuck’s sake.
12.5.2005 | By Ian Swider
Folks posting like flies, now.
Thank me later.
12.5.2005 | By [email protected]
I friend gave me a mix-CD with ‘Surf Nicaragua’ on it, and I was in to this band ever since. Good post, and good blog!
12.5.2005 | By Anonymous
“Surf Nicaragua” was Sacred Reich. Maybe you’re thinking of “Surfin’ M.O.D.”?
Ian - Guilt was fucking awesome.
12.5.2005 | By Andrew Aversionline
I posted this on the Stompbox post by mistake…
How about Deformity, Liar and the whole H800 thing?
Good shit.
12.5.2005 | By [email protected]
I used to work with Ryan from Crossthread, who released the better sounding version of ‘Murder Within Sin’ on his label Blasphemour.
I had only just met the guy and moved to Portland, Oregon…blah, blah lost track. You know the story.
Maybe Very Distro still has some of those discs that I used to have.
Later.
12.5.2005 | By [email protected]
Great record… we’ve had that discussion before though.
12.5.2005 | By Buske DNA
It took me years to listen to this, but I was glad when I finally did. “USA…” was/is the shit for me, but this is a damn fine record and I have no arguments with those who prefer it to the debut. You can’t lose when you have a drummer who was in Gothic Slam/Laaz Rockit!! Hot damn…
“Surf Nicaragua” was way better than “Surfin’ MOD” though…
12.6.2005 | By scott
In Re: Guilt…their single function on this earth was to make OLC sound like the hardest music ever made when they immediately followed them on the old Victory Style 1 Comp.
12.6.2005 | By Lastwatch
holy shit, so weird you posted this. guess ill just cross it off of my list. i’ve been playing this at work and everyone just shakes their head. i dug this shit since the day it came out. good choice.
12.6.2005 | By EMS / COREGASM / SA MOB
this is the only MOD record i own and it’s pretty damn good. never cared much for ‘surfing..’, ‘USA for MOD’ or ‘devolution’ , but this one hit the mark. in addition to the riffs, the drumming is pretty damn good too.. i dont care much for stupid pisstake lyrics and this cd has barely any which is odd for billy..
i love the final song ‘NYC rally’ i think.. a NY call to arms.. woulda made a good theme sonng for some new york sport team. big ass anthem
12.7.2005 | By alexwank
i’m glad i checked this out. i stopped listening to mod after “surfin’”, but i always wished something would even come close to sod or mod’s 1st 2 albums. i think “gross misconduct” is a great album. it’s a little more punk/metal, but the riffs are so catchy. “true colors” is one of the best crossover songs (and vidoes).
1.15.2006 | By Neal
This stuff is great. I think about MOD everytime that I go to a wedding reception and hear some crappy band playing Surfin USA and Shout. I usually hate those songs, except when MOD it playing ‘em. I think that if I ever get married, I’ll ask MOD to play the reception.
1.20.2006 | By Poseidon's Creation