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By JEFF MAKI
Though the members of Zimmers Hole are serious musicians, make no mistake, this band is not meant to be taken seriously. The band is made up Strapping Young Lad members Jed Simon (guitar) and Byron Stroud (bass), as well as one of metal's most famous drummers, Gene Hoglan (Dethlok, Strapping Young Lad, Dark Angel) and a vocalist known only as Satan Aka The Heathen. Zimmers Hole isy a thrash and death metal version of Jack Black's Tenacious D and are along the lines of Dethlok and Spinal Tap--a heavy metal parody. Zimmers Hole pays respect to tried and true metal, but shows no mercy on hair bands, as evidenced by the album's title and lyrics to the song itself. But hair bands aren't the only ones bowing to the evilness of Zimmers Hole. The album's lyrics are outrageous metal cliches, parodying many different styles and are so humorous that it's likely your sides will be splitting. I almost fell out of my chair when Satan Aka the Heathen screams “Fly away little bat” in a high-pitched scream at the end of “Flight of the Knight Bat.” In the same song, The Heathen sings “We need a breakdown, I feel a breakdown,” mocking half of the metal bands out there today. Other songs are equally entertaining, like the death metal “We Rule the Fucking Land” and “Fista Corps.” The vocals pay tribute to heavy metal legends like Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson, but there are also many death metal vocal parts and classic power metal screams. Strapping Young Lad mastermind Devin Townsend was responsible for the vocal production, so that may have something to do with the excellent performance. Musically, there's no doubt these guys can play. This album is fast, furious and a ton of fun. I was waiting anxiously for a guest appearance from Ronnie James Dio, but unfortunately it didn't happen. However, we get a comical guest spot from Dethlock singer Nathan Explosion. Fitting, since Hoglan played drums on Dethlock's The Dethalbum.
This is actually Zimmers Hole's third release. If you actually take a step back and look, there are so many ridiculous things about heavy metal. Yes, I'm a huge metal fan, but it's true, and Zimmers Hole leaves nothing out, making for one hilarious album.
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