Blue Felix don’t play regular, run-of-the-mill metal rock. What they perform is metal fusion. At least, I’m told that’s what it’s called. What do I know? The closest I ever come to metal anything is opening a can. I know amazing music, though, when I hear it. It’s available on their tour de force CD In Line 2 Die, in spades.
A given amount of the band’s appeal unavoidably is about show. The demonic costuming, off-the-wall artwork for the album—including some parental-advisory eroticism—and Blue Felix’s general image. After all, it’d be counterproductive to market these guys in Brooks Brothers suits, helping little old ladies cross the street on their way to a meeting of the We Build Better Boy Scouts Association. They’re supposed to—and do—look like they escaped out of Hell because the devil was scared they’d revolt and start running the joint. Their success, though, goes far deeper and way beyond a big, bad image. Artistry of the first order is at hand here: Blue Felix handle beautifully delicate sounds as easily as they do raucous rock that barrels down on you like a freight train pushing an avalanche.
All the way through, In Line 2 Die delivers evocative fare. A good many of us drink coffee to get the day started with a wide-awake charge. Ever wonder what coffee drinks? A strong cup of Blue Felix would be my guess. The album opens with the adrenaline rush of “Perfect Servant,” then blends into the dramatic title cut, followed by the relentless drive of “Nicotine.” The lyrics to these songs are pitiless, right in keeping with the overall ghoulish ambiance. Take, for example, “In Line 2 Die,” which goes, “Penny saved, a penny earned/ Well, Penny save and then she burned/ And she cried to God, what a way/ Go on and cry to God, you fuckin’ slave.” “Skeletons Closet” shows the band at its melodic best, shifts time signatures, and features sweet, moody chords. Soon as the cut is done, you want to hear it again. The same with “Mynd of Stones.”
Blue Felix blew me away, opening for Marilyn Manson at the State Theatre a while back. I just never saw them coming. Listen to In Line 2 Die or their other album, Dogs of Doom. Catch them live. You’ll see what I mean. Fans of the band, of course, already understand. Blue Felix appears next in the metro Twin Cities on February 5th at O’Gara’s.
Comment