BPCD1590 ACCUSER - CONFUSION ROMANCE
It’s good to know that Accuser is around, the thrash metal scene kind of feels safer with their intense rifforamas keeping the fans alive and moving; world domination continues to elude them, but the underground has already preserved a firm spot for them in the “reliant metal stalwarts” pantheon.
METAL-ARCHIVES REVIEWS
Imagine a mix of late 80's Metallica, mixed with later day Testament, some of the groove of Pantera and perhaps just a touch of Machine Head. That's sort of the mixture of sound that makes up "Dependent Domination."
NOLIFETILMETAL REVIEWS (Scott Waters) - scroll down for full review
BPCD1590 ACCUSER - CONFUSION ROMANCE 637405143591
- Limited to just 1000 CDs
- The original 6 track EP now expanded to a total of 9 tracks!
- Part of the elite Metal Icon Series
- Expanded booklets in jewel case
- Digitally remastered to perfection
- Limited edition foil-stamped collector cards (1st pressing only)
- Available on limited edition CD, Cassette, and Vinyl (late 2022) (for the first time ever!).
ABOUT THE ALBUM
When talking about Teutonic (German) Thrash Legend Pioneers it’s essential to speak of ACCU§ER with the same hushed reverence as SODOM, KREATOR, and DESTRUCTION. ACCU§ER is a thrash metal band from Kreuztal, Germany that formed in the early 80’s flying the crunchy speed & thrash metal flag with all the fervor of the most intense mosh pit imaginable. Despite not landing a contract with a major label for their early albums, the band continued to release a string of successful underground releases before disbanding for eight years. After Frank and René decided to get Accuser back together, the saga continued with the band releasing one album with Century Media and their three most recent albums with Metal Blade Records. The guitars are energetic and thick as a brick with aggressive melodic vocals. ACCU§ER is the perfect band for those who worship at the altar of technical thrash and speed metal in the vein of classic Metallica, Slayer, Believer, Death Angel, Dark Angel and Deliverance. With such strong lyrical content and musical brilliance, fans can now have access to these previously high-priced collectibles. CONFUSION ROMANCE was originally a 6 track EP, but the 2022 Remaster on Brutal Planet features three additional bonus tracks to make this a full length CD with 9 astonishing tracks! These are essential head-bangers!
1 Head Like A Hole
Written-By – Trent Reznor 5:18
2 Confusion Romance 5:00
3 Cowboy On A String 3:39
4 Driver's Seat
Written-By – Paul Roberts 3:53
5 Misery (Live '94) 6:00
6 Repent Lyrics (Live ‘94) By – Mary Buck 4:53
7 Black Suicide (Live ‘94) 4:54
8 Master of Disaster (Live ‘94) 6:45
9 Symbol of Hate (Live ‘94) 4:55
NOLIFETILMETAL REVIEW of the original 6 song EP (Scott Waters)
Killer EP featuring two covers, two originals, and two live tracks. "Head Like A Hole" is a Trent Reznor track and one of the best on the disc. "Driver's Seat" is a cool thrash meets acoustic cover of the British band Sniff 'n' the Tears' 1978 song "Driver's Seat". (Who the heck are Sniff 'n' the Tears?) An obscure cover no doubt, and one that took me a while to figure out. The two live tracks sound almost as good as the studio tracks. Both songs are performed tight and are well recorded. Glad to finally get this EP, the last disc to complete my Accu§ER collection.
REVIEWS
Accuser – Confusion/Romance (Brutal Planet Records, 2022)
Of all the Accuser albums that Brutal Planet Records has released, this one is my favourite. It’s a great selection of studio and live tracks, just enough to wet the appetite for more. This reissue even adds two live tracks were not on this EP originally.
Beginning with a cover of Nine Inch Nail’s Head Like A Hole, this is a ‘tough guy” version, a twist that Accuser does quite well at. The drums on this song are notably more industrial, quite fitting for this song. Next, Confusion/Romance is only original track written by Accuser for this EP. The wall of guitar heard on this one is not to be missed. Cowboy On A String, a morbidly-themed number from the Reflections album, fits well on the EP selection.
The most unique track is Driver’s Seat, a Sniff ‘n’ The Tears cover. This one really works, and is worth the price of the EP alone. The guitar tones are gorgeous, and the drums are played close to the original version without compromising the metal composure. Following that are five live tracks that span the band’s career from Who Dominates Who (1989) to Reflections (1994). Typically, live tracks are filler on albums. With Accuser it is just the opposite. My hunch is that Accuser is superior as a live band, and these live tracks capture that intensity in ways their studio songs do not reach. Misery, Repent, and Symbol Of Hate are all given the live sound treatment with the intensity you’d hear at the show, recorded with raw but professional fidelity that will make you feel you are in the mosh pit.
This extra cool reissue is now available on Cassette and Gold Disc CD. If you appreciate thrash, this is a must-have. –Doug Peterson, Down The Line zine