~Behold the seedy sounds of this Sin-o-Matic 2001 Fantomas release. We have 15 'Takes', plus the mysterious 'Take 13'. We have material based entirely on Motion Picture and T.V. scores ranging from 1955 to 1992, all on the darker side of things. We have epic crescendos, blast-beat mayhem, blissful odd time signatures, retro melodia and spooky interludes - all laced with PattonTheGodOfMusic and his inimitable and unmatched range of Vocalized Psychosis.

Fantomas is:

Mike Patton (vocals/ keyboards/ arrangement/ adaptation) and
Trevor Dunn (Bass +?) - both from Mr. Bungle, etc.
Double-kick icon Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Grip Inc.)
Melvins Axe Murderer Buzz Osbourne

The production here is well-suited to the material at hand; flat and creepy, trapping you in an imaginary room which has been befittingly soundproofed with walls six feet deep of moist earth all around, adding 13 inches of damp wet moss emanating swamp gas. You had better take shallow breaths; you had better beware.


A fistful of some notable tracks:

1. Take 1 - The Theme From the Godfather
(Nino Rota, 1972)
This track perfectly sets the album's unique and dynamic tone. It begins with an authentic rendition of the haunting main theme, (bringing a Morricone-esque 'Once Upon a Time In the West' quality) and then all hell breaks loose: Lombardo begins his typically relentless assault on the skins, smashing cymbals and rolling the 'double-kick supreme'. Patton begins to howl, groan, scream, Kvetch, croon and convulse... all the things we have grown to love and expect. All the while Buzz and Trevor provide the thrashing undertones felt throughout the disc. (at carefully chosen intervals, of course) We get plenty more of the ups & downs before this track finishes as quietly as it began.

2. Take 11 - Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
(Robert McNaughton, 1991)
...pounding echoes ...a surreal atmosphere builds... gloom & doom prevails... and then, Patton breaks the silence! Lyrics! This number plods alongs slowly, menacingly and purposefully and then just kinda ends ...much like the lives Henry so viciously dispatched.

3. Take 14 - Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
(Ennio Morricone, 1969)
This baby would have nestled comfortably deep within the second Mr. Bungle release 'Disco Volante'. It's just that kind of a track. Loved the whistling.

4. Take 15 - Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
(Angelo Badalamenti, 1992)
The opening section of this is my favorite segment on the whole disc. I have not seen this Lynch film, but I think I will now. This is very creepy stuff; moody and surreal - much like the Lynch films I have seen.

So take heed and take heart, kind folks...

All-in-all, this release makes one realize that we are all pretty lucky. After all we certainly ain't got it as bad as say, Sonny Corleone, Rosemary Woodhouse, Henry's hapless victims or even 'Der Golem', whoever he or 'it' may be. (I remember something of an odd film with a weird, black walking statue of sorts?) If anything, this CD certainly ought to help blow the dust from a few forlorn vids on the shelves of the local rental retailer.

Don't miss out, this is a rare, unique, classic, escapist, Highbrow/ lowbrow endeavor - and the cover art is just... well, to die for.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving