The crypt masters are back

Loud. Fast. Blood-curdling -- Perhaps the only words fitting to the characters and the music of The Misfits. After surviving the loss of two singers, countless drummers and even a brief stint as professional wrestlers, the masters of murder are back. Michale Graves, Jerry Only, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstien and Dr. Chud's latest release, Cuts From The Crypt, lives up to every expectation of the classic punk quartet. \nCuts is the newest Misfits effort, a compilation of demos, bonus tracks and rare singles from 1996 to 2001. The album includes several demos from 1997's American Psycho, and three bonus tracks from 1999's Famous Monsters, which had originally only been released in Japan. Cuts From The Crypt also features several songs which had been completed, but never released, including a cover version of the 1950s' dance classic "Monster Mash," as well as a cover version of Black Flag's "Rise Above" featuring Robo and Dez of Black Flag. \nThe opening track, "Dead Kings Rise" (the original title for 1997's American Psycho album) starts out very hypnotic, sucking you in for a wild ride of metal guitar hooks and extremely fast drum lines. At first listen, the songs do not seem to differ from the songs on American Psycho and Famous Monsters. But with a closer listen, the altered guitar lines and even bloodier lyrics on Cuts seem much more appropriate to the demented personas of the band members. \n"Dr. Phibes Rises Again," an extension of 1997's "The Abominable Dr. Phibes," had originally been rejected by The Misfits, and after four years, makes its appearance as one of the best tracks on Cuts From The Crypt. The unreleased version of "The Hunger" appears on Cuts, faster and harder than ever imagined. As though the music was not enough to satisfy Misfits fans, the band chose to include a digital video of their second release "Scream." \nThis album is a real treat for all of the ghouls and fiends of the music scene.