Dead Serios are currently back together after a many year hiatus, and better than ever. So what could be more fitting for the 30 year anniversary for heavy metal’s clown princes of thrash than a tribute from many of the artists they directly had a hand in inspiring? That’s exactly what this is and better than most anyone could have predicted or hoped for. This collection of ten songs rocks, rattles and oozes into places you’d never expect Dead Serios songs to go, not of their own accord exactly. This speaks volumes to how far-reaching the influence of this little band from the Harbor City is.
“People Need Ozzy” gets the most severe redressing by (Cosplay Records artists) Fretless Rock, tearing up an instrumental version like a demented string quartet.
One of the great things on this disc is wildly and widely varied the interpretations are. And that’s what a great tribute disc ought to have. Re-imaginings and inversions of songs so they’re new all over again.
In terms of impact and influence, you’d be hard pressed to find a bigger thumbprint on the Space Coast’s sound-scape. You could see DS headline at a club, see them open up for touring MTV acts. Talk to them afterward, and they were accessible. You could ask them how something was done, and for the most part, they’d tell you and they would help you as best they could. If there’s an original band you saw live ’round this way in the late 80’s or 90’s, and they were playing and writing their own songs, booking DIY tours further away than Jacksonville, and absolutely playing for keeps every time they went on stage, then they were influenced in some way by Dead Serious, and that’s no joke.
All proceeds of this disc go to benefit the Genesis House.
Excerpt of review by Bart Savagewood for Indi Music