Reviewed by Lukas Willcocks

Do you want your ear lobes rapped? Do you enjoy music 20dB louder than it needs to be? Yes? Well get this. Chicago's Crashdog lives up to its peculiar name! Two to three chord punk thrash a la Sex Pistols and rougher/tougher vocals than One Bad Pig. Yes, it's basic music but these guys have a lot to say! "Degeneration": actually quite musical with a good intro, plenty of raw power and feedback. The song looks at how we see ourselves in a painful world and the hope that we'll respond to Christ's call to help the hurt and needy. "Vent": "It's rugby without a ball" - well the merrycans have got taste as Spike Nard verses about his band and the hilarious dancing they enjoy. "History Lesson No 1": expresses the injustices of some US systems. "Assumption": racial issues; "Burned": the cost of premarital sex - excellent distorted vocals. "Ichtheology": Christians should be fishers of men not destroyers of the environment. "Reactionary Fear": a very heavy build up with nice wah wah lead work by Andrew Mandell. Best track? "Without You" has a funky groove and lyrics that worship God and tell of his devotion to us no matter how we feel or what we've done. Not everyone's cup of tea, but Crashdog will reach the folk others might miss.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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