First things first: this incarnation of
the Accused features exactly one original member -- guitarist
Tommy Niemeyer, a co-founder of the band who left to join
Gruntruck after this outfit's last album, 1992's
Splatter Rock. That being said, it's easy to draw a straight line, sonically speaking, between
The Curse of Martha Splatterhead and the late-'80s discs that made
the Accused's name in the thrash/hardcore underground. They're still blazing through songs in 90 seconds, maybe stretching it to three minutes if they're feeling particularly epic (as on album closer "Splatter Rock II"). The music will definitely appeal to those who like their thrash primitive and old-school; current vocalist
Brad Mowen sounds like he's trying to spit out a mouthful of insects with every line, as bassist Dorando and drummer
Mike Peterson crank out punky rhythms behind him and
Niemeyer's riffs recall
D.R.I. (and their modern-day clones,
Municipal Waste, for youngsters) as much as
the Accused's own back catalog. The bits of sampled horror-movie dialogue that introduce various songs are another vintage touch. Though the songs are pretty damn good, this is far from an essential album even for old-school
Accused fans, but it'll probably make them bang their heads happily as they drive the kids to school.