Stylistically caught between the fun-filled horror punk of The Misfits and the seductive darkness of Danzig, Glenn Danzig’s second band Samhain are easy to overlook. While I regularly find myself in the mood for the more-renowned acts on either side, I often have to remind myself to forego their obvious joys and spend some time with his “other” band. So this week I’ve been listening to Samhain’s debut Initium.
It’s an album that I’ve liked in the past but not loved. I appreciated the Misfits-style catchiness in tracks like All Murder, All Guts, All Fun and He-Who-Can-Not-Be-Named but didn’t regard the tracks as top-tier classics. And I found the rest of the album to be leaden, lo-fi and lacking in cohesion. But recently, I’ve warmed to the occult darkness of tracks like Initium/Samhain and Macabre and I’m finding hitherto overlooked gems here. The “cause I want it, and I need it” chorus of Black Dream is a classic Danzig hook, Archangel closes the album with some catchy 50s swoon and the raging and bloodthirsty The Howl has become a new Danzig favourite.
There’s no doubt that this is a transitional album but its underground horror, dank atmosphere and murderous intent has a charm and (for me) a growing fascination of its own. In the future, I won’t need to remind myself to listen to Initium. Cause now I want it, and I need it.
[Samhain – The Howl]
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
“underground horror, dank atmosphere and murderous intent”
and a catbox. Glenn, it’s your turn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good on ya for digging up and replaying an old record. Always love it when a forgotten disc yields some sleeper faves later on. It’s all about the timing (that’s what she said).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely. Putting the right album on at the right time and it suddenly just clicks. A great feeling when that happens!
LikeLike
I would buy this just for the band members name. Steve Zing.
That is 2 letters short of perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not following… you mean like ‘mazing? Dozing?
LikeLike
Maybe ‘SteveN ZingS?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! That makes sense now.
LikeLike
I can’t decide if that cover is awesome or awful.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s awfulsome.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Awesoful.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Never heard of them but love misfits, will have to give them a listen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well worth checking out if you love The Misfits stuff! They did quite a few remakes of Misfits songs too. This one has got a new version of Horror Business on it (called Horror Biz) Hope you like them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome, that’s tomorrow’s listening sorted then 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha excellent! Let me know what you think.
LikeLike
Gave it a listen this morning,loved it from start to finish. Thanks for the recommendation, definitely gonna dig into their other stuff now
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great! Glad you like it. I’m working through the rest of their stuff now too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never knew Dnazig played guitar?! Is he the second coming of Yngwie?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not really hehe. Good riff writer though and he’s played guitar on more of his stuff than people realise.
LikeLike
I think that’s the magic response artists seek but rarely get – to be wanted & needed simultaneously!
LikeLiked by 1 person
But it’s the magic response Danzig demands!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Covers with blood-daubed people on them. How many?
LikeLiked by 1 person
*furrowed brow* umm… 3… 7… 48… umm… I’ll get back to you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Take your time. Not sure how keen I am to see them collated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A themed post would be pretty long I think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know about this at all. That Danzig guy, eh? What’s he like?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Total legend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s my hero.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want to be him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am him!*
*not really, but I couldn’t think of a response to that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! But now you mention it… I’ve never seen you both together at the same time…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person