Upon first listening to local band Gargamel's debut CD, one might ask, "What hell hath Primus wrought?" especially after hearing the heavy percussion-shout bout of "Karate Summer." But that questioning betrays moments like the screaming guitar leads in "Malt Liquor Nights," which remind one that this is an extremely talented group of musicians, even if they do wear ski masks and call themselves names like Mandaddy and El Diablo Guapo. At times you won't know whether to laugh, ponder or just run for your life.
Gargamel is equal parts goofiness, virtuosity, jazz fusion, metal, sound sampling and synth madness. Describing the songs as simply "eclectic" would be an injustice. Scary might be more accurate; psychotic would be apt. An acquired taste for some, "Revulva" is a rollercoaster ride into ordered chaos. If these guys weren't making music, they'd probably be on a serial-killing spree somewhere.
