PSYCHOSTICK

I initially wanted to rip the guts out of this one until I realized that PSYCHOSTICK's humor-core is in fact pretty damn funny and musically not too shabby, even if it's not a heavy rotation type of disc. Please be advised that a sense of humor is a requirement for enjoyment of "Sandwich".

Taking the piss out of the various metal and hardcore formats, single-driven record companies, and the mundane and ludicrous is the meat and potatoes of what PSYCHOSTICK is all about. And usually it is quite funny. Most would have a hard time holding back a smile during "Shower" when a radio-friendly croon of "Killing bacteria on your body / leaving you feeling great / increasing your odds that night of getting laid" hits, followed by an aggressive shout of "It's shower time bitches!" Of course it's ridiculous, but it is the seriousness with which it is sung that defines the actual comedy of the whole thing. It is when PSYCHOSTICK goes for a full-on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE-style clean melody on the surprisingly catchy "The Hunger Within" that the height of hilarity is reached. Singing about one's burning desire for various foods set to music that defines the whole emo-core/radio-metal sub-genre is priceless. Play it for a fan of the style that is completely unaware of the joke and watch the eyeliner rise with excitement. Make sure to check out the ode to commercial success at any cost that is "Number 1 Radio Single" too; once the laughter subsides, the truth of the record company game becomes embarrassingly apparent.

Metallically speaking, the guys bust out a handful of convincing bruisers that fall somewhere between BIOHAZARD and HATEBREED and the sound harnessed is thick and burly. The gags and goofs interspersed throughout get old quick though and at 76 minutes (24 tracks) you'll be yelling "Uncle!" Regardless, "Sandwich" is demonstrative of a group that takes its comedic metal seriously and has obviously put some effort into it. "Sandwich" is at least worth spinning every now and then to get a few laughs during a late night party, although I'll have forgotten about it a few days after the review posts.