Incorporating elements of metal and thrash in substitution for their usual nostalgic melodies and infectious hooks, Earth A.D. is The Misfits' most aggressive, hardcore release. Danzig shouts and growls more than he croons. It is undoubtedly a change of pace from their other releases, but this does not mean it is not worth the listen. While I would not really recommend this album to new fans or skeptics of the punk genre, for fans of metal and hardcore, completists, and true fiends, Earth A.D. is a highlight of their record collections. In the scope of hardcore punk, this album is one of the toughest and most timeless. For myself and many others, "Die, Die My Darling" is the climax of the album, but every track is a dark, fast, cutthroat, and fun all at once. They are bursts of hell-raising energy; they explode like atomic bombs. Though the Misfits' sound may have gone through a transformation for this final masterpiece, their spirit was steadfast.
July 24, 2008 |  | Two reasons not to buy this! |  |
First off, even if you do think these are good Misfits songs, you are better off investing in both the Misfits 'Collection' CDs. Buy those 2 CDs and you will have all of the 'Earth AD' EP (and a WHOLE lot more).
Secondly, IMHO, this is the worst of the Danzig-era Misfits. Sure, the songs are fast and furious, but it's pretty much just straight forward hardcore. On this release, the band chose speed over substance. Gone are the memorable lyrics and catchy melodies; Danzig opts to unintelligibly scream rather than sing on this release. In many ways it just doesn't feel like the Misfits to me; what I love most about them seems absent here. With the exception of 'Green Hell', 'Die, Die My Darling' and 'Mommy, Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight', I find myself quite bored listening to this.
In any event, this CD should be for 'completeists' only.
March 12, 2008 | | Very Different From thier Previous Albums | |
Glenn Danzig was never known for complex musical arrangements but I feel that in his early days as a performer he had something to offer. With his first band, THE MISFITS, Glenn introduced the punk world to monsters, evil, and chaotic music that I feel was the heaviest punk at the time (1977-83) had to offer. I myself am not a huge punk fan but THE MISFITS to me stood on thier own from the whole scene. I don't think any other band sounded like them. "Earth A.D." was released in 1983 and was the last record they would make that meant anything. It opens up with the title track and drags you into the dark and disturbing mind of Danzig. "Earth A.D." sounds as if the hordes of hell are let loose. We then move into "Queen Wasp". After a generous amount of feedback, you are punched in the face with a devastating guitar riff played by Doyle. Glenn's ever present howling opens this track into vampire women and death with a ferocity that cannott be matched. Moving right along, we next hear "Devilock" which again pummells the listeners ears into submission. "Death Comes Ripping" sounds just like the title and "Green Hell" is a prototype to METALLICA with it's devastating downstrokes. Now, we have "Mommy, Can I go out and Kill Tonite?". One of the best. Halfway thru the album, we move onto "Wolfbslood". My guess is this little ditty is about turning into a werewolf. Hence the lyrics, "it's wolfs blood and it's pumping like it's f***ing in my veins and I feel my vertabre shaking". Cool stuff. "Demonomania" is a short thrasher that takes no prisoners and then we are treated to "Bloodfeast" which to me is a precurser to Glenn's next band, SAMHAIN. "Hellhound" is a virtual monster from the depths of hades that gives out no mercy and expects none in return. I should mention that "Die, Die my Darling" and "We Bite" were not originally on this album. As well as "Mommy, Can I go out and Kill Tonite". I believe these were singles, if I'm not mistaken. With the invention of CD technology and remastering techniques, "Earth A.D." needed an overhaul. It did get it on this particular release and that is great. When I first heard this album, I had borrowed it from a friend in high school and I thought that there was something wrong with his copy. So, I went out and bought it, and it sounded the same as his. It wasn't until it came out on CD that it's full effect was felt by me unfortunetly years after it was originally released. Personally, I love this album and is a most needed addition to fans of extreme music. As far as the sound on the CD goes it is so much crisper and clearer and in no way loses any of it's awesome power. All the dirt is still there. It just sounds a lot better. I should also point out that Glenn's lyrics on "Earth A.D." are his most twisted and venomous. In his long career of 31 years he has never matched the lyrics of this album. It sounded like he was a demented serial killer on the rampage. I wouldn't doubt that even SLAYER thought he was nuts. THE MISFITS last album with Glenn Danzig is a blood-spattered platter of punk in it's most evil and primitive form.
March 13, 2007 | | not quite like their other albums | |
if you read any of my other reviews you will hear my go on and on about the misfits and what an influence they had/have on me. so why only the one star? because if youll notice the track list, it is simply the last 7 songs on the collection 1 album and the last 5 on the collection 2...so you may already own this and not even know it. just buy collection 1 and 2 and you WILL then have this album too!
November 3, 2006| | | Awesome!!! Yet Another Killer Fits Release! | |
(this album accually gets a 4.5 from me, but The Misfits are too good for me to give anything under a 5!)
Earth AD/Wolfsblood is awesome, but much different from anything that The Misfits have EVER done before. Many of these songs are extremely fast. Nothing else was as fast or brutal before this album, and nothing else is as fast or brutal today. But it's very good. It contains some very superb Misfits songs, like Earth AD, Devilock, Death Comes Ripping, Green Hell, Mommy Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight?, Demonomania, Bloodfeast, We Bite, and my personal favorite Die Die My Darling.
If there's any bad thing about this album, it's these three songs: Wolfsblood, Queen Wasp, and Hellhound. They're not bad songs at all, but they all sound exactly the same and IMO, they're kinda boring. I don't hate em, they're just not favorites. They're average.
So, if you're looking for a punk/metal album with an extreme amount of originality, go for this!(hell, buy all their albums!) It's dark, creepy, brutal, and will leave you bleeding and in stitches and begging for more.
August 6, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(59 reviews)