Note:
These reviews have not been spellchecked or
edited in any way. These are the unadulterated
opinions of those who have encountered the Human
Aftertaste. We present these reviews in their
original form so that you see EVERYthing said
not just the quick positive quotes.
4
out of 5 star review for White Man's Voodoo in
Gothic
Beauty Magazine
What could
possibly be more frightening than a game of golf?
Why, Human Afteraste, of course! Yes, they ARE
back. After releasing Eat Our Meat, Human Aftertaste-
more twisted and disturbing than ever- now conjures
up a little White Man's Voodoo for the masses!
And don't worry, more creative and demented interactive
CD-ROM features are again included...if you have
the stomach for that sort of thing. Disturbing
(yet seductive) visuals tend to go hand-in-hand
with the music of the Human Aftertaste. The hard-edged
mayhem includes tracks: "Dead Friends",
"Porngroove", "Monstrosity",
and "Boneyard Games". Count Jabula and
company thank Satan in their liner notes. So,
rest assured, this CD is endorsed by the devil
- and you don't even have to listen to it backwards.
(Sonya)
Upfront
- Gimmicks can go along way - just look at KISS.
'Nuff Said.... But at what point does the gimmick
end and artistic talent begin? Who cares when you
have Human Aftertaste? Let us sum this all up for
you... Human Aftertase is the most brave, original
and adventurous band to grace our ears, eyes and
players in a long, long time. Human Aftertaste's
second album - White Man's VooDoo manages to do
something very few albums do... It gets better with
every listen. It soars above the rest and truth
be told - when you listen to White Man's VooDoo
you realize that this isn't any ordinary gimmick
or album... you quickly realize that the music is
far, far superior to any image anyone could of ever
come up with. Thats when you quickly dismiss the
entire gimmick theory all together and enjoy all
of the beats, screams, cries and passion that White
Man's VooDoo produces. Human Aftertaste hands down
delivers one of our favorite albums of the year...
Now if we can just get them to Dallas so we can
have the chance to see the magic they produce on
stage - if it is 10% of the magic on the album,
I think everyone will be very pleased. Do your part
in spreading infections... get it and let others
have a small taste... before you know it, we will
all have been penetrated by the entity that is Human
Aftertaste.
Munnezza
site
After
the optimal debut of the 2002 ( book review
) I attended the Human Aftertaste to the passage:
the second test is that rivelatrice, or confirmations
or falls in the creative anemia. I must say
that not to only they have convinced me, but
me also they have been strange: this "White
Man' s Voodoo" is decidedly a great album
of rock.
The group, in fact, has introduced new elements
in a sound already of for same himself much
suit: one acoustic line of sintetizzatori, intervals,
feminine choruses. The result is a rock extremely
poured them and rich of surprise, than it is
not lain down of the sort on the conventions,
however the sonorous structures are many often
amazing complex and.
The voice of Count Jabula is, like already in
the first album, much teatrale: to times limpid
to times hard and bilious, as it is convene
to a vocalist of rank; Proteus to the guitar
is the spirit thrash, but it has a way to play
not sure conventional and often it gives test
of great expressive sensibility.
"White Man' s Voodoo" is not, therefore,
only a simple confirmation but a decided step
ahead, concrete demonstration that the rock,
in the just hands, is alive and vegeto.
The album, beyond to the twelve traces audio,
has also one section video with clip and photo.
 
(Beppe Cozza - 20/9/04)
QC
Band Conjures a New Style of Voodoo
Human Aftertaste, White Man’s Voodoo
Story
by Jeff Ignatius
Article Posted Wednesday, September 08 2004 ~ 10:06am
The
word “mature” isn’t something
one should expect to associate with the local band
Human Aftertaste. This spook-show industrial-tinged
rock band prides itself on being outrageous, proudly
claiming to have been banned from clubs and glad
to warn you that a performance will likely include
being sprayed with substances pleasant and not-so-pleasant.
That
ethos was well in evidence on the group’s
first CD, 2002’s Eat Our Meat. And it’s
there on the cover of the band’s new record,
White Man’s Voodoo – a visual mishmash
with a naked woman, golf balls, inscribed crosses,
and grotesque canned goods.
But
when you pop the CD in, it’s surprisingly
good; this pseudonymous band has outgrown its shock-rock
silliness and produced an album of striking versatility.
The music has been toned down a touch, to the point
that it easily crosses genres and becomes something
idiosyncratic. And it’s full of surprises,
such as the female vocals that pop up in the aptly
named “Porngroove.”
The
CD starts with the static and pops of an LP record,
and the music takes well over a minute to explode
into an unconventional hard-rock thrash and bilious
vocal workout reminiscent of Mike Patton’s
post-Faith No More work, particularly Mr. Bungle
– careening and difficult, but compelling
with its own twisted logic.
Make
no mistake: White Man’s Voodoo shows that
Human Aftertaste is not for all tastes. Just take
a look at the disc’s multimedia section –
which includes photos, lyrics, and a video and displays
the band’s transgressive attitude.
But
the group – led by vocalist Count Jabula and
guitarist Protus – has stripped away its derivative
industrial tendencies and staked out its own musical
territory. The textures are fresh, multi-layered
and nuanced, with an attention to melody and atmospherics
that offsets the metallic base and the harsh, theatrical
vocals. The 12 songs segue gracefully, and their
structures are complex and often unexpected, with
sections of delicate instrumentation that might
be said to approach … sensitivity. (Gasp!)
“Dead
Friends” is anchored by a droning, moaning
guitar and a simple piano line and works earnestly
as a lament. “The Squirm” is a slow,
creepy dirge that evokes the dread of best horror-movie
scores and then builds to its chorus before falling
to the ground with a light piano line. This is ballsy
rock – confident but not afraid of failure.
White
Man’s Voodoo might not have a cover that you’d
be proud to show to friends, but there’s absolutely
nothing embarrassing about the music. Within the
Marilyn Manson/Rob Zombie category of raunchy, costumed
hard rock, it’s smarter and more inventive
than you might expect.
Please-god-don’t-let-me-die
Performance of the Week
- White Man's Voodoo CD Release Party Melody Inn
6/19/04
Paul F. P. Pogue
Even by our photographer’s famously liberal
standards on the subject, this was SERIOUSLY messed
up stuff. The performance artists and hillbillies
gone horribly awry of Human Aftertaste peppered
their performance at the Melody Inn with such memorable
moments as a dude piercing himself while sitting
on nails, bizarrely costumed characters inflicting
unspeakable molestation on an inflatable monkey
and whippings inflicted via twirling baton. All
at once.
And this was before one considers the terror of
their cover of “Jesse’s Girl”
or the goo-spurting, orgasmic grand finale, after
which patrons found their clothes spattered with
crap they couldn’t even identify. If you’re
ever caught watching them, pray you escape with
your skin intact; the loss of sanity is already
a foregone conclusion.
Space
Junkies
White Man's Voodoo CD Review
http://www.spacejunkies.com
Well, the interactive portions of this CD are
nothing short of weird, and even that is an
understatement! It's hard to tell if you're
supposed to laugh at the content or take it
seriously, but either way it certainly was a
handful of entertainment. I especially enjoyed
the "voodoo" game and photo gallery
content. Of course the best part of the CD is
the actual music itself. Though even that can
brink on the bizarre. With cross contamination
(or is that pollination?) of genres ranging
from simplistic industrial electronic noise
to haunting dark rock elements will keep you
guessing as to what genre to place the HUMAN
AFTERTASTE into. The movie "The Rocky Horror
Picture Show" comes to mind when even the
thought of this band crosses my mind, maybe
they're the next generation of Rocky heirs.
Fans of Marilyn Manson (esp. during his "Mechanical
Animal" era) should enjoy the sounds of
HUMAN AFTERTASTE, they're not that far of the
beaten path that they shouldn't be enjoyed by
the mainstream public, but they're definitely
not a band for everyone! [Wednesday Elektra]
4-star
Review in Munnezza
Italy
Se per voi i Marilyn Manson si sono imborghesiti
e gli album di Ministry, Jane's Addiction e
Prong sono coperti di polvere perché
non li ascoltate da anni, è il momento
di scoprire gli Human Aftertaste!
Attivi nell'area Iowa ed Illinois, si inseriscono
nel filone di rock teatrale che ha visto David
Bowie eccellere per lungo tempo: la maschera,
il travestimento, le gag, sono punto fermo delle
incredibili esibizioni dal vivo, che uniscono
l'aggressività musicale a quella visiva.
Non potendoli vedere dal vivo, dobbiamo limitarci
all'aspetto musicale.
L'album di esordio "Eat Our Meat"
è una vera sorpresa: un sound unico,
lucido, a cavallo fra elettronica e chitarre
rock. Questi Human Aftertaste sono, poi, musicisti
solidi e aggressivi: ne consegue che tutti i
brani sono ben suonati, con arrangiamenti di
grande impatto. Nota di merito per il vocalist
Count Jabula: ha una estensione notevole unita
ad una prepotente comunicativa.
La traccia più notevole è tuttavia
Diamond Studded Halo, una ballad elettronica
con una chitarra cattiva, ma anche gli altri
brani, nonostante l'apparente caos di base,
mantengono una lucida linea melodica. In sostanza,
gruppo con ottime prospettive che rinfresca
una settore che, non me ne vogliano i fans di
Marilyn Manson, sta cominciando a copiare se
stesso, evidente segnale di usura.
Il cd è interattivo: contiene, infatti,
anche una traccia video. Ultima nota per la
copertina… peccato che non sia delle dimensioni
di un lp!
(Beppe
Cozza - 19/3/04
dj
copper top
ebm/synthpop DJ
http://www.copperandgold.4t.com
ALSO>> USA/midwest
electronic music promotions
Comments
on the Melody Inn show Feb. 13th 2004
REALLY
this was a great show @ The Melody last night..
amazing.. still wiping off the left overs..cherries..
whip cream (no, I didn't have sex tonight..
well, that is none of your business). Hopefully
The Human Aftertaste will come back again. What
was really different from this crew, how they
are separated from the Impotent Sea Snakes,
Thrill Kill Kult, and Marilyn Manson, was in
HOW the did not see themselves seriously. From
the Quad Cities in Illinois, this band made
absolute fun of every stereotype the Midwest
has to offer. Regardless of the sexual antics,
there was NO WAY to get excited.. NO, this was
true theatrical comedy. AND, the music was better
then most bands of this kind. Even without the
comedic theatrics, the music was dark, progressive,
and well composed. AN A++ for The Human Aftertaste
tonight. Remember the name; I figure they will
be back. Hilarious.
Hahahahahaha.. what a great Valentines weekend..
the best ever..
over and out.
gretch.
Rockinbones.net
had this to say:
Human Aftertaste-
"Eat Our Meat" CD
By Kendra Peek
(Visit
Their Site)
Human
aftertaste takes the roots of goth music, stemming
from the likes of Christian Death, and the goofy
theatrics of modern Marilyn Mansonish pop to
a creepy yet humorous level. Pop the CD with
the naked chick on the front in your computer
and you will be very delighted by the numerous
special features before you; especially the
beyond cool video for the melodromatic industrial
song "Diamond Studded Halo." They
filled the artistically genius film with imagery
reminiscent of Thrill Kill Kult, lots of nudity
and blood, and bizarre video filters. The song
itself deserves praise as well. Human Aftertaste
is definitely an interesting band…not
your typical shock rock that leaves a lot to
be delivered in the music department. You get
artsy entertainment with great punk-industrial
and metallic beats in one so boredom is not
an issue with this band. Alright weirdos, go
check out this CD already! (Octopoid Entertainment)
I like David Bowie. In fact, I think he's not
only a genius, but a visionary as well. He wrote
a song called "Life on Mars." It goes
something like this:
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
Now, if some of those
people that interpret the prophecies of Nostradamus
were looking at these words, they clearly foretell
the coming of The Human Aftertaste. Or maybe the
"cumming" of the Human Aftertaste would
be more appropriate? Clearly his use of the words
"it's the freakiest show" foretell the
cumming of the HA. There is no other possible
interpretation.
The HA rolled into Mixers in Moline, IL a few
weeks back on Thursday, August 14th. I'm just
now writing the review because it takes a while
for their show to sink in. The subtle stylings
of Count Jabula, Protus, and newbies Creepy Charlie
(guitar) and Gorgeous George (drums) need to simmer
a bit before digesting.
The show itself is amazing. The props, the naked
girl (who was just an unwitting bystander, and
was later thrown out), Mistress Minx, AIDS Monkey,
The Count's redneck ramblings, the moshing, the
corporate anthem ("In That We Trust"),
the canned Human Aftertaste, the cock cannon ...
need I go on? This is a visual spectacle that
is beyond compare in this area. That's all fine
and dandy, very amusing, and what not. However,
anyone can use props, right? Anyone who wants
to put on a show can do so. The proof in the pudding,
the meat on the carcass, the whiskey in the coke,
is the band. If the band sucks, all the showmanship
in the world is just a waste, right? Well, guess
what? The HA doesn't suck. Not even a little bit.
This band has improved tremendously with the addition
of the two new boys (well, I think they are boys.)
Creepy Charlie and Gorgeous George have solidified
the band's live experience into what is probably
the most entertaining, tight band in the area.
There is no fat on this contraption, it's a lean,
mean kung fu fighting machine. You, the humble
reader, need to plunk down the cash next time
this show comes around and see it for yourself.
You'll rock hard, you'll get splattered in goo,
you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll make out with
Protus. It's worth the money.
If I just get to see my decidedly middle aged
buddy, Dave, moshing and sliding across the wet
dance floor like a surfer, I'll be OK. Maybe.
The HA rocks. That's all that matters.
TV
Technology
has made a boon of promotional opportunities
available to artists. Interactive web sites,
streaming audio and video, better mailing
lists, easier artist networking. you name
it. This release is presented as an interactive
CD-Rom demo using a bizzare mixture of "pornographic"
imagery, pop art, and some of the most twisted
and commerical sense of humor i've ever seen
in some time. While took some time to figure
out how to navigate through the various sections,
this CD is bursting with niffty goodies. Links,
lyrics, a photo gallery, even links to the
required software to run the various modules.
But what about the music? Included on this
disc is the video for "Diamond Studded
Halo". A sensual, grinding peace heralded
by choral vocals and a deep vocalist along
the lines of VNV nation. But this is definitely
not synthpop. One might find themselves in
the territory of some of the later works of
Nine Inch Nail, but without being contrived.
The video itself is right in line with the
work of Skinny Puppy's "Warlock".
The effecting of ancient film intermixed with
a seedy underworld of hopelessness and endless
sensuality. This is a powerful piece not to
be missed. (Poseidon).
Human
Aftertaste “Self Titled” CD
A cover with a naked lady never hurts. When I
popped the Cd into the computer to listen, I was
taken directly to the “interactive”
portion of the CD. Lots of stuff in there including
a video and more naked ladies. Still impressed.
Musically, these guys do an industrial electro-metal
with a very eccentric and dramatic flare. This
will be perfect for the goth scene, or for the
Marilyn Manson worshipers out there. Most of their
art comes in their parody of commercialism and
canned culture. This isn’t fluff. Behind
the drag and pomp there is a real message bleeding
through with fanatical non-corporate satyr.
DiSCORDER - That Online Magazine
From CiTR 101.9FM
Chris Eng
Previously, it was only in the fevered recesses
of my brain that Rob Zombie had any dealings at
all with Adam Ant. And certainly, even in those
shadowy corners of my mind, they didn’t
collaborate on music; it was just Rob Zombie pointing
at the sky, saying, “Hey Adam, look! A dead
bird!” and punching him in the stomach when
he deigned to look.
This is the musical collaboration I never envisioned.
Adam Ant, scarred by horrific trauma—both
mental and physical—scurries through a blasted
industrial landscape, providing an exceptionally
surrealistic retro experience. And that’s
all good.
Because sometimes you want to dance and get scared
at the same time—which is, apparently, what
happens at their live shows, where men in dresses
spray the crowd with large, penis-shaped water-guns.
This isn’t documented on the CD, but they
include a video where a gore-covered naked girl
shambles through empty corridors while the band
lurks around the next corner, and, really, that’s
the next best thing.
Dance. Be scared. It’s good for you.
Review
of the Human Aftertaste self-titled album
by DJ Gothman
When I first received The Human Aftertaste's demo
CD, I was immediately impressed with their unique
sound accompanied with such deep interesting lyrics.
Ok...I know a lot of you have already seen their
live performance and know from experience that
their lyrics are not the first thing that distinguishes
them from every other band. They're a band on
another level in many other respects.
In
the past we've done music reviews and performance
reviews from their concert in Davenport last September.
Well, today I get to do the review on their eagerly
awaited full-length CD simply entitled "The
Human Aftertaste". This CD is amazing!
Included were not only their previously released
demo tracks, but 9 new musical compositions. Their
sound is unique as usual and offers a little of
everything to please everyone.
Musically
speaking aside, the CD contains computer interactive
material that is simply genius. Once in you computer,
you aer brought to a surreal movie sequence that
goes more into their industrial factory motif of
canned meat production. The menu screen is easy
to navigate and includes no only online links to
their website, but lyrics to their songs and a full-length
video to their hit song "Diamond Studded Halo".
For those of you not familiar with their video work,
be assured it's of top notch quality. A little note
here, you MUST have Quicktime installed to view
the video.
I would definitely recommend this CD. It's a work
of pure art from the music to the packaging it comes
in!
The
Human Aftertaste: solid music and performance art
By Tom Vance, Guest columnist (CD
Review HERE)
December 21, 2002 6:56 AM
Take the New York Dolls on steroids, young punks
on dope, the great white hope and the Pope on
a rope, mix until frothy and shoot it from a huge
phallic shaped squirtgun, and you have The Human
Aftertaste.
You
also have one helluva good time. I must tell you
that the rumor that is the Quad City Music Scene
doesn't even come close to what's bubbling just
underneath the surface. I'll bet most QC bars weren't
as full as Lumpy's was on Saturday, December 7,
2002, when a collection of vampires, punks, goths,
and at least one Mormon turned up to keep the back
room alive and kicking. The band, and assorted hangers
on, hit the deck in full drag, save for Count Jabula's
redneck getup, punishing the room at an ear splitting
volume with an incredible energy level that was
just screaming for a bigger room.
They have the front man to pull it off, too. Count
Jabula isn't as much a singer as he is a presence.
He was taking the piss out of rednecks with his
getup, his drawl, and his Pabst Blue Ribbon. He's
the kind of guy who could tell you to go to hell,
and make you look forward to the trip. Singing songs
about "Satan and what not" while constantly
complaining "it's too hot", he eventually
stripped himself of his redneck gear (fatigues,
army boots, Oak Ridge Boys shirt, hunting vest)
to reveal a lacy negligee, leopard print spandex,
and finally, nothing but a thong.
The band is solid with Protus, Rev Beej, the mysterious
Jim, and Justina keeping it steady for The Count.
Cheered
on by the throng (and by a sexy looking cheerleading
red devil, complete with pom-poms, and exposed breasts
with just a bit of red electrical tape covering
her nipples), The Count led the band through cuts
off the bands debut CD. The show is a rocket ride,
and there is a bona fide scene developing there,
with an interesting cast of characters. Ape masks,
huge dildos, phallic squirtguns, this isn't for
Grandma, but that's cool, because rock music at
it's finest is meant to threaten ideals, morals,
and values.
The performance closed with a major cock up (pun
intended) of "Jessie's Girl" and a piñata
that spewed out God only knows what. This shindig
ended in a mess, so if you get the opportunity to
see them, don't wear your Sunday finery.
These guys come from the same area my entire family
is from - the Quad Cities. There's two types of
people that come from that area: the normal, God
loving citizens and the crazy, humidity affected
youth that get so bored off their asses in their
lonely rural existence that they tend to do some
crazy shit. Human Aftertaste come from the latter.
This is some pretty cool goth/ industrial music;
some of their reviewers compared them to Ministry,
Christian Death and Marilyn Manson. I know very
little about that "scene" so sure, they
sound like those bands. The cool thing about this
CD is the CD-Rom that includes a video by the
band. Whoever made that video has a very artistic
eye and if given the chance, could go on to direct
videos for bigger and better bands. Of course
the thing I liked most about the video was the
chick that was naked throughout the entire thing.
Nice. I'm not into this stuff, but it is good
for what it is. All you Goth freaks, check these
guys out.
Never dreamed to be part of a freak show? These
circus of poor people were usual at the beginnning
of the last century but who told you that marketing
and industrialized world haven't got any? Human
Aftertaste took all these aspects and reworked
all together forming a multi medial circus of
modern aberrations. Visually they mix modern art
(do you remember the Andy Warhol paint of the
Bean soup? The band did a similar thing but using
their logos. "Eat our meat" tells the
can on the front cover) and trash american culture
where everyone can be Mc Donald and can sell whatever
he wants to. You can find a similar taste checking
the multi media part of the CD (which contains
also the video of "Diamond Studded Halo")
where the Humans seems modern corpse grinders
that eat and vomit every aspect of modern life.
Musically they sound industrial mixed with metal
and punk. A sort of Marilyn Manson with a specific
mission: deconstruct modern life. Check "In
That We Trust" and it'll be your anthem of
the day!
Human Aftertaste is a unique name for a unique
band and it's also the title of their album. Their
sound is particularly hard to describe, it strikes
as a mixture of White Zombie, Zeromancer, Sins
of Lust, Abortion 616 (formerly known as Squid
616), and bands along the lines of Marilyn Manson
or Godhead. Of course they add their own bizarre
twisting tales of fetish blended industrial metal
and hard rock sounds. At first I found the album
a bit hard to get into with the distorted vocals
and overall heaviness, but not long after it started
to sink in and became a valuable essential to
my CD collection. I'd recommend picking up this
disc if you're into a fast paced guitar driven
world of heavy music with killer hooks and other
perks.
CD
Although I always hate to label
a band as "this" or "that",
I would best describe Human Aftertaste as a breath
of fresh air to the gothic rock sound. Excellent
musicians have come together to bring you this
album. Amazing synths, grinding guitars and dark,
brooding to loud, screaming vocals. It is reminiscent
of My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Marilyn
Manson and even industrial acts like Leaether
Strip and Electric Hellfire Club. A wide range
of moods and emotions are on this CD, and if you
like gothic, rock or even industrial, you will
appreciate what Human Aftertaste does with their
music.
Interactive
Portion
Hillarious intro, very well done.
Interaction is great and reminds me of something
from Monty Python.
Video
for "Diamond Studded Halo" - impressive
use of imagery...spooky, alluring, erotic. Production
was very well done. Watch it alone in a dark room
and it gives you that wonderful creepy feeling like
you're watching a horror movie. Some of the special
effects were awesome and I think that overall this
is the type of video that would do well at an indie
film festival. Needless to say, the song that the
video is for is great. Dark, brooding, very cool
synths, great vocals.
Oh, my, my! A what? A "Diamond studded Halo!"
My Lands! Who? "Count Jabula!?" O! My
Goodness! A goat? What did they do? "Eat
it Alive!" What did you say? "The Rough
Beast!" God save us! I have never seen nor
heard such filth, and smut, and naked perversion,
my children! Hide your eyes from these slutty,
vile, cabaret horrors! And clap your hands over
your ears against the words of Satan... and those
filthy, masturbating guitars! And... and is that
tribal, industrial, metal noise that I hear belching
forth? Sounds like that Freddy Kruger down the
street, and... and Mr. Manson has escaped again,
and, and, and spilt his s-s-seed into these children.
They are Ripping pages from the Book of Lies!
May your souls be damned to all-hell for looking
upon such heresy as this www.HumanAfterTaste.com
, and their sinful cd-rom pornos. ALL is lost,
I profesy! My girlies, get you-selves to a nunnery!
As God as my witness, Fire and brimstone will
rain down on our heads! "EAT OUR MEAT"
indeed! Sexual, erotic decadence screaming forth
especially for the wicked, just like they preach
in Hollyweird, and that Lost Vegas! Vaginas and
everythin' just hanging out for Bill Clinton and
every-body. Women with bright, un-natural coloured
hair, spreading their serpentine legs, and licking
their filth, and that damned rock in rolls royce,
with screaming and hollerin', and that rockstar
misbehaviour, talking trash about sucking this,
and sucking that, and sticking it in here, and...
and... and... them dancey things that they do!!
Why, these fools have canned their own sweet meats
and added a bit of special sauce for extra flavour.
And you know exactly what I mean! Now, you're
going to have to get down on your hands and knees,
my children! And pray for forgiveness for every
time that your spin these devilish songs on this
filthy album! You will burn in Hell! And may your
body parts burn in the lake of fire everlasting
for gazing upon these pornographic images dancing
upon your computer screen like some nudey girl
in a bawdy burlesque show! You better stick your
fingers in your ears this minute! This is the
product of dee-monic possession, and comes die-rect
from the factories of smut and that fast guitar
rock music, and from all them sick fantasies b-b-built
up on the empire of Satan! May your blood boil,
ooze forth, and spill upon your hands and feet
for your own sinful wickness, you naughty, naughty
children! www.octopoid.com/humanaftertaste/fullsite/index3.htm
Now, you stay-away from that damned enter-her-net!
(B+ for the b-movie music & pornos.)
In
the early 90’s some of my favorite bands
were Ministry, NIN, Jane’s Addiction, Godflesh,
and Prong. There are times I dust off some of
these CD’s and try to take myself back to
the days when my life was simply girlfriend &
college. I never hear anything new that can trigger
my senses into playing back those memories. That
all changed when I listened to Human Aftertaste.
This stunning CD by a group of highly imaginative,
area musicians, had my nerve endings firing out
of control in a frenzy of excitement, confusion,
and anxiety. My brain left the boring reality
of this world and I let Human Aftertaste do the
driving.
Now
you must understand, Human Aftertaste wants to
bleed you and have you ask for seconds, all in
good fun. There is an obvious fascination with
torture, sex, pain and pleasure throughout the
musical content and the CD’s Quicktime video
“Diamond Studded Halo”. The multimedia
addition to their CD is superb and shows just
how multitalented these artists are. I’m
dead certain it’s not for everyone. First
off, if you’re offended by the CD cover,
you may want to move on to the Britney Spears
section instead. Next test: if you thought Andy
Warhol was “a weirdo” and “that’s
not art” there is a velvet Elvis painting
waiting for you on eBay and a nice Creed CD at
Bestbuy with your name on it. Human Aftertaste
is a collection of digitally created, layered
flesh fillets of synthahol, with the occasional
steady riff of distorted guitar, catchy rhythms
and hooks, topped off with theatrically delivered
echoes and pitches of vocals. It requires an open
mind, a sense of humor, and a cranked stereo.
I
began to scan through tracks when I hit number
3 “In THAT We Trust”. I think that
is what I was looking for, a Ministry anthem!
My Honda Accord’s VTEC V6 was on the receiving
end of my foot and track 3. I mashed the gas and
gave the finger to speed limit signs as I was
in the hands of Human Aftertaste. I had to listen
to “Room 418” a few times then it
grew on me. It has an opening feel that I describe
as an industrial Clint Eastwood spaghetti western
theme in a futuristic, Terminator, post-apocalyptic
world. You have to experience it yourself.
Mmmmmm… the next track, “Scream within
a Scream” has a Rammstein aftertaste. I’m
speeding down the highway again. We’ve hit
105. “The Rough Beast” catches me
off guard with a familiar tempo and 80’s
pop sound. I’m waiting for “Wendy..
Yes Lisa.. Is the water warm enough.. Yes Lisa..
Shall we begin.. Yes Lisa.” I call this
their 80’s song. Next song has another catchy
guitar riff. I like it. Then out of the blue the
bass line to Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on
a Prayer! It fits, it works, I’m sold. This
CD is staying in the changer for a while. The
guitar riffs turns into more pop and has a good
hook, then it melts into Pink Floyd. This song
is my favorite except for one thing: I’ve
now grown a little tired with saturated effects
on the vocals. I wish the singer featured more
tracks where, at the most, he used Ozzy effects.
The singer has attitude, style, and can sell the
song. I’m not sure he needs effects all
the time. Not all tracks left a good aftertaste
with me. There were some Marilyn Manson influences
that bored me and tunes that didn’t have
the guitar riffs that caught my ear. Overall:
Excellent job at stimulating my senses.
My personal favs: In THAT We Trust, Scream Within
A Scream, Eat it Alive
It is hard not to have a soft spot for a band
that actually thanks Satan in its’ liner
notes. While I wouldn’t call the HA
Satanic, certainly impy would apply. Despite
all the shock and cock of their live show,
I think mostly the HA is laughing at you.
And why not? Chances are that you are kind
of a dork, or a loser anyway, but that’s
a whole other matter.
The
record gets off to a slow start, clanging away
with it’s layered textures of electonica
and distorted guitars. By the time In That We
Trust rolls around, the uptempo anthem in the
vein of NIN or Rammstein is like a splash of cold
water in the face. I wanna new drug indeed. This
is probably the tune that should have had a video,
rather than Diamond Studded Halo, which at first
listen is a little boring, but eventually I got
it, and think it’s perhaps the 2nd best
song on the record. This is a CD that may not
strike you at first, but if you give it the opportunity
of repeated listening, and unpeel the layers,
you are rewarded with a pretty cool record.
Welcome is a bit of a Rocky Horror Picture Show
styled romp, with an obvious Bowie influence in
the chorus. Count Jabula’s quirky delivery,
and Protus’ keyboard line layered in back
heighten this effect. A Redneck Ziggy Stardust
on acid. It’s not exactly your typical Goth
style fare, which is good, because it shows that
the HA can expand on their base, and intergrate
their own touches to the already overburdened
genre of goth/hardcore/electronica. One of the
records other highlights is Room 418, which has
a decidedly Western flare. Imagine Metallica drinking
whiskey and smoking cigarettes, wearing fake scars,
panchos, and sombreros, and you get the picture.
The syncopated opening riff to Eat it Alive is
interesting too, breaking out of the confines
of the rest of the record.
The band is solid. The Mysterious Jim, Justina,
Protus, and the Rev Beej form a solid core for
the Count Jabula to make his bizarre testimony
over. Having said that however, this record doesn’t
quite capture the essence of the HA. Their live
show is something to behold, and when they learn
to capture that energy on disc, we’ll all
be eating their meat.
The Human Aftertaste played a rousing show on
Feb. 15th at Gabe's Oasis in IA City. As always,
the stage show was inventive, incorporating bare
assed baboons, medical practices and a sci-fi
minion clad in duct tape, shoulder pads and a
luchiadore mask. Count Jabula, the lead vocalist,
slammed through song after song while getting
closer to his natural self by stripping down to
a pink elephant g-string and purple lingerie.
The rest of the band were no less interesting
outfit wise, ranging from the drummer's drag to
the guitarist's white flame devil suit. On the
musical side, The Human Aftertaste played well,
though suffered from some equipment problems.
The vocals were strong and well accompanied by
the band, providing an excellent counterpart to
their stage show. All in all, an excellent rendition
of a classic Human Aftertaste event..
CHICAGOLAND
MUSIC
by Dikki6
Human Aftertaste is a fetish loving mixture of
electronic cocaine adicted chaos properly mixed
with Snake River Conspiracy, The Rocky Horror
Show, and Mindless Self-indulgence. This self
titled album is sure to make fans of Marilyn Manson
turn their heads in arrousal. Disecting the songs
you hear a variety of elements that make this
album truely unique. With this comes negative
results however. due to it's unusual approach
it's an album that may find an audience not able
to stomach it, while others will turn down simply
for it's different sound. If you're into gothic
clubbing music you'll revier this album as one
of your favorite local acts, and the show presence
will have the same effect as well. There are many
songs on this album that sound similar to eachother,
if not the same. One song that stuck out in particular
as being one of the better songs is "Diamond
Studded Halo". This song combines a mixutre
of electronic blues, and seductive lyrics mixed
with it's own ora of mystic effects, and delays.
The vocal approach, while somewhat annoying, grows
on you if you're willing to take some time and
listen to the album more than once.
When
it comes to enhanced cd's many of us tend to shrug
them off. This Enhanced cd is probably one of the
best one's I've seen in a long ass time! The Video
featured on it is "Diamond Studded Halo"
combining many dark elements of life using blood,
razors, a fat guy, and a naked chic with angel wings.
You can't go wrong with that. I applaud Octopoid
Productions, and direction from Sam I Am and crew
for making something so derenged and well put together
as to make me watch it again. As a matter of fact,
I'd love to featuer the video on the site sometime!This
video should seriously be featured on megatrons
across the gothic clubbing scene, and on Mtv late
nite. If you have a way to get this cd, I'd suggest
doing it in hopes of seeing this amazing piece of
art, dillusion, and chaotic form of lust that this
critic has ever seen in his entire life!
Rivercity
Reader - album review
by jeff ignatius
From Octopoid Productions comes this latest industrial
effort, complete with a silly album name and tasteless
cheesecake cover art. What’s unclear –
and what makes it so difficult to evaluate –
is whether the band wants to actually achieve
something or is content being the industrial equivalent
of Spinal Tap.
Octopoid
(formerly Land of Nod, one-time home of the similar
Savage Gentlemen) seems to specialize in positioning
bands on the line between thinking of themselves
as seriously shocking and selling themselves as
a big joke. I’d prefer the latter, and there
are certainly reasons to buy into this point of
view. The vocals are theatrically overdramatic,
with kitsch built right in, and then there’s
the album title and packaging. On the other hand,
the song titles – “Scream Within a Scream,”
“The Rough Beast” – have a dreary
self-importance.
The music is surprisingly varied for an industrial
release, and there’s even a track (“Diamond-Studded
Halo”) that might fall into the category of
a ballad. The lead track, “Tick Tock Man,”
offers a funky bass line and guitar with a melody,
and as this type of music goes, it’s sometimes
downright accessible. “Taboo You” belongs
in a dance club, and throughout, the album backs
down the typical all-rhythm-guitar-and-drum-machine
attack for a subtler, more textured sound. Even
the most traditionally industrial track –
“In THAT We Trust” – packs a punch
because it’s part of a consistently shifting
musical vision.
Yet fundamentally, the appeal of Human Aftertaste
will be limited to fans of industrial metal. The
group is clearly looking to incorporate other styles
of music, but it hasn’t yet stretched far
enough.
Godsend
Online
Human Aftertaste - "Human Aftertaste"
CDR - This new project from members of the Illinois-based
collective SAVAGE GENTLEMEN treads on some fairly
familiar ground. It's a heavy-duty rock experience
that joins the theatrical drama of classic CHRISTIAN
DEATH or BOWIE with the aggressive electro-metal-crossover
vibes of MARILYN MANSON. The production is strong
and professional as is the songwriting, and these
guys (and girls) continue to evolve into a more
than viable dark rock/goth act that fortunately
includes a solid dose of humour. (Octopoid)
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