This is John 5’s sixth
studio album. He is obviously ex-Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie guitarist – yet,
still one of the most underrated guitar players ever. The artwork is done by
Rob Zombie himself. The album consists of 10 songs, consisting of a 41 minute
journey. There is a clinical sound to his shredding, which is very addictive.
Yet, in God Told Me To, there is now a dynamic opposition between
acoustic, more emotional songs and his cold, clinical shredding that puts fear
in your ears. The ratio is equal between acoustic (both steel and nylon) and
electric guitar songs. The album title is a double entendre – referring to
discursive tensions in the album. The album consists of a fascinating multitude
of sounds, yet, not without John 5’s signature-sound to place it in
context.
Your humble narrator has
seen this fucker in action and its true brilliance all the way. This dude is
able to write symphony-type music on a guitar.
Welcome to Violence
Mind-crushing, frantic,
all-out (what John 5 is about) shredding madness. It really makes me glad to
hear that he opens with such a heavy song – it indicates towards the intensity
of the album as whole. This is a truly violent song and it really welcomes one
to the unique sounding world of John 5, whilst reminding you that serious music
is going down.
Beat It
I’m going say it: the
Michael Jackson cover is a bit weird – if it didn't actually rock my
socks off. Yet, why did John 5 put it so early on the album? I would have
ignored this song, if it wasn't so masterfully skilled.
Ashland Bump
A beautiful rhythm
conquers the intro of this song, moving towards a really fast-paced acoustic
guitar tempo. This song consists of a mystical array of sounds, showing another
shade of the album. It once again portrays John 5’s very creative and
innovative sound.
Killafornia
Jeez, the essence of John
5 oozes out on this song. What an interesting build-up, after what I would
‘traditionally’ assume is the verse. The drums pound away, placing the song in
the milieu of John 5’s repertoire. Here he relies on the formula of his
clinical shredding sound.
The Castle
The Castle displays
further acoustic brilliance. The song is very fast-pace and harmonic-laced,
truly a brilliant song.
The Hill of the Seven
Jackals
The song starts very
strong – creating a nice play between the acoustic and all out clinical
shredding songs. For his style of guitar-playing, this is a very emotional
song. That Fender screams with emotion during the solo. Intertwined with an
industrial effect, with weird lasers shooting, sounding effect.
Noche Acosador
This is another acoustic
song, this time with nice Spanish guitar music. It has a nice flamenco feel to
it. The song is very different to the other songs on the album.
The Lust Killer
The song places one in
the familiar evil-sounding backdrop that is John 5. The Lust Killer is a truly
murderous song.
The Lie You Live
The song starts with a
slow bass drum pounding the way to a very eerie acoustic song. Such a nice
build from 1:15, makes you feel like ascending into the clouds.
This type of ingenuity is
what I've been waiting for all year – a well-deserved 9/10
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