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Reviews

16 Horsepower: Live DVD

11/06/08  ||  Global Domination

This review was written by ex-staffer/cocksmoker Banesupper.

Just what style of music do 16 Horsepower play? It’s rock, it’s country, it’s folk, it’s fucking gospel, it’s all kinds of fucking crap. “Gothabilly”? Jeez. One thing it’s not though, is metal. So why the hell am I reviewing this D-V-fucking-D for a metal site? Because there’s something in 16 Horsepower’s desperate, morose tones that resonates with me, and I’m pretty fucking confident that it’ll appeal to other metal fans as well. And hey, this DVD was released on Alternative Tentacles, who have black metal bands signed as well.

Also, I just felt like writing about this, so fuck off, get the fuck off my fucking back already!

Thanks. Had a lot of anger to vent there. Now, I’m usually against metal sites reviewing non-metal albums just because they fall into that “not-metal-but-lots-of-metal-fans-like-it-Porcupine-Tree” zone, but being the giant hypocrite that I am I decided to go for it anyway. 16 Horsepower hail from Denver (though two thirds of the band are French. Whatever), and did in a period from the early nineties to 2005 play some of the most awesome music imaginable. A thoroughly unique mix of the abovementioned genres, and seasoned with ruefully honest spiritual lyrics.

This DVD includes footage from a number of different shows, predominately a 2002 gig in Belgium (where the band is quite popular for some reason), but reaching as far back as 1996 and as recent as their final concert in 2004. The time spanned effectively demonstrates how the band evolved through the years; from a highly unique rock band to a highly unique goth-country entity. And surprisingly, hearing the same songs twice doesn’t feel trite. Quite the contrary, I found it great to hear a fantastic song like “Black Soul Choir” both in an old, rockish, and true to the original version, and in a later, stripped-down version featuring only banjo and vocals.

The band is remarkably more depressing on the later footage, especially the 2002 show that features lots of material from the band’s extremely dark, final album “Folklore”. The darkness that emanates from the band is simply uncanny. Main man David Eugene Edwards occurs almost possessed as he conjures a bleak imagery of sin, doubt, and possible salvation. “Every man is evil yes, and every man a liar / Unashamed with wicked tongues sing in the black soul choir”. No, 16 Horsepower sure aren’t a happy band.

While the lyrics may be dismal, it is an absolute joy to behold the band in action. Extremely professional and obviously greatly skilled on their respective instruments. David Eugene Edwards steadily rotates the guitar, banjo (it commands respect, damn you!), and bandoneon (it commands even more respect, curse you!). Watching him rock out like a madman with the cumbersome latter instrument is just awesome.

As for the setlists, I find them mostly excellent. Most of the band’s very best material is featured on the DVD, including amazing songs like “For Heaven’s Sake”, “Black Soul Choir” and “American Wheeze”. I do miss a few tunes though, “Low Estate” in particular, but also “Playing Garm Lane” and “Just Like Birds” off the “Secret South” album.

If you’re musically open-minded, you owe it to yourself to check out 16 Horsepower. This band cannot be recommended too strongly. I found that this DVD covers all that the band encompasses, and as such is an excellent purchase, but any of their albums are magnificent.

9 singers with ridiculous underbites out of 10.

  • Information
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Alternative Tentacles
  • Running-time: 126 minutes
  • Website: www.16horsepower.com
  • Tracklist
  • Disc One: Les Nuits Botanique
  • 01. Hutterite Mile
  • 02. Outlaw Song
  • 03. For Heaven’s Sake
  • 04. Black Bush
  • 05. Beyond the Pale
  • 06. Alone and Forsaken
  • 07. Sinnerman
  • 08. Blessed Persistence
  • 09. Clogger
  • 10. Single Girl
  • 11. Black Soul Choir / Phyllis Ann
  • 12. Flutter
  • 13. Splinters
  • 14. Brimstone Rock
  • 15. Sac of Religion
  • 16. Horsehead Fiddle
  • Disc Two: Rockpalaßt
  • 01. Black Soul Choir
  • 02. Haw
  • 03. American Wheeze
  • 04. Redneck Reel
  • 05. Strong Man
  • Disc Two: The Last Show
  • 01. Getting On Stage
  • 02. Flutter
  • 03. American Wheeze
  • 04. Harm’s Way
  • 05. Splinters Heart and Soul

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