Suicidal Tendencies
Lights Camera Revolution

THE REVIEW

The Suicidal Tendencies have always been a white fly (or a black sheep, depending on your point of view) in the metal scene: since their debut back in 1983, the group led by Mike Muir has received as much praise as fierce criticism (famous is the poll where they were elected "Worst Band/Biggest Assholes"); never hardcore enough to be considered as such, never thrash enough to rightfully enter the category, the Californian band has always maintained a fine balance between these sounds, creating a sort of crossover that also includes elements from funk and rap. A mix that many found indigestible but simultaneously fascinated many other listeners, giving the group the status of a cult band.

In 1990, the year of release of this "Lights...Camera...Revolution!", Suicidal Tendencies found themselves with what was surely the best line-up in the band's history: besides the usual Cyco Muir on vocals, there were R.J. Herrera on drums, Mike Clark and Rocky George on guitars, and the acrobatic Robert Trujillo on bass; the five were already coming off "Controlled By Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu" (their "longest EP") but it's with this album that the group really gets serious, giving birth to what I consider, along with their self-titled debut, the most beautiful album of their discography. In this CD, indeed, the band will manage to find that perfect harmony among the numerous influences that were already present in their compositions, thanks especially to Trujillo: the bassist's technique and funky style, combined with the hardcore/punk/thrash school of the Muir-George-Clark trio, will produce a perfect mix that, unfortunately, will never be replicated by this lineup (Herrera will leave the band after the release of this album).

Regarding the musical aspect, the band demonstrates to be in excellent shape: besides the usual granite wall of guitars and Herrera's precise drumming, the sound is enriched by Trujillo's four strings, who proves to be perfectly integrated into the group's dynamics despite the little time since his arrival. The bassist's funky input is particularly felt in "Send Me Your Money," a track driven by the Santa Monica musician's slapping; besides Trujillo, Rocky George and his omnipresent guitar take center stage, which, between riffs played in unison with Clark and compelling solos, proves to be a cornerstone in the band's economy, providing those thrash foundations that represent the base of every track of the Californian outfit.

The other peculiarity and absolute pillar of Suicidal Tendencies remains Mike Muir: his singing, on the edge between rap and sermon, his voice once clean and another time as furious as few, his lyrics that almost seem like a stream of consciousness and spare no one, from critiques of the "business" of religion ("Send Me Your Money"), anthems to revolution and the redemption of the oppressed ("Give It Revolution") which seem to be extracted from a piece by Rage Against The Machine (a band hated by Muir) ending with the programmatic manifesto of "You Can't Bring Me Down," Muir also demonstrates he can address personal issues like loneliness ("Alone") and alienation caused by society ("Lost Again"), confirming himself as an author capable of tackling varied subjects with his usual dose of frankness, cynicism, and irony.

In conclusion, "Lights...Camera...Revolution!" definitely deserves a listen from both fans of '80s/'90s metal (particularly the one from the San Francisco Bay Area) and those approaching the metal of that period with some reservations. You may end up loving this group or hating it, but surely the work of Cyco and his companions will not leave you indifferent.