Nosferatu

Not much to report here that isn’t already on the '84 Nosferatu demo save an amusing live rendition of “Torture Chamber” recorded two years earlier in Pennsauken, NJ.

I’m not gonna re-explain the main song, so here’s an excerpt from my Nosferatu demo review: While “Nosferatu” has had a slew of pasty facelifts over the years, this version is the barest. Disappearing over time is its eerie, twilight-lurked intro, meanwhile appearing over time are more of the wildly chaotic solos that only sparingly see light of day here. It’s also the only time you’ll hear long lost drummer Harry Tyler curdle the song’s lyrics. Rhythmically all is intact, albeit more inexpertly executed, and the whole thing’s nestled behind one great pencil drawing that gives the song a pointy-eared face.

Yep, even the cover’s the same, as cool-ass as it is, and with larger 7” specs.

Ah yes, “Torture Chamber”, the first Hellwitch song to cross my sonic palate way back with New Renaissance’s Thrash Metal Attack compilation in ’87. Pat’s preamble to the show’s apparent finale is a warm little tale about the basement at his house in Gainesville that unceremoniously leads into an enthusiastic…okay, maniacal guitar solo of patented Ranieri/Hellwitch styling. The playing’s actually pretty tight and eager. Don’t know if the drummer’s using empty milk cartons for drumsticks or if it’s what he’s pounding on. The chorus throws us some audience participation. Hell, there might be 24 people in the crowd. In any case, live or studio, with this release you get two of the group's most ageless songs.

I have presumably scarce video footage of the band playing for patients at a mental home, straight from Pat’s video library. Man, if you could measure gold in hilarity.

“…thanks a fuckin’ lot man, that’s it, we’re fuckin’ done…”