I am become Death – “American Tragedy. Fake Nudes.”
The title of this band comes from a quote from J. Robert Oppenheimer, a scientist who led the creation of the atomic bomb. He disagreed with how the bomb was used against Japan and quoting Hindu scripture from the Baagavad-Gita he said, “I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.”
I am become Death is also, a Boston based hardcore/punk/metal band that destroys and kills musically with power, precision and poignancy. Pulverizing your eardrums and any quaint notions you may have had of living an undisturbed, docile life- one that is calm and safe and pure, after you’ve heard and experienced them.
I am become Death is brutal, hard, uncompromising and not so easy to take. But also, excellent in its expression with their true, real take on life, lyrically and musically.
You might say that listening to this band is like an atom bomb going off inside your mind.
Let’s check out some of the destruction:
Starting with an aggressive, distorted, broken up sound and rhythm- like trying to tune into a radio station where the static and electricity go haywire, until you’re finally hit with a disconcerting blast of sound. Much like putting your finger on a live wire with the shock coursing through your veins. “American Tragedy” accelerates into moshing speed once the vocals join in. “You’ve lived through the beat down. Now, you’re covered in scars. The sickness is spreading.” The vocals are intense and accusing, not so much in the typical, shouting hardcore style. But more blaring, more thoughtful, more compelling with it’s drive and spite.
“Cut them out of everyday. Live in your old-fashioned way. Different is not okay, in this American Tragedy.”
No- different has never been “okay” in American life. If you’re not a white, American male then you need not apply. Minorities, gays, women have always been relegated to the margins of society.
“You’ll be fine as long as you look like me.”
This song is propulsive, full of energy and slams full force like a James Brown tune. It slams full force as a song full of awareness, observation and anger. This song is great no matter how you look and no matter how you look at it.
With some chugggin’, hard rockin’ guitar chords, “Fake Nudes” reveals some hard rock vibes instead of dick pics. Then the music pauses before it erupts at a more volatile pace. “Tell me again what’s real and what’s fake? If it’s all a lie then it’s all your fault.” With the aggressive, industrial sounds and its screaming, emphatic vocals- this song suggests to me a collaboration between Big Black and Black Flag. Where industrial meets hardcore punk and produces a baby that screams bloody murder.
“The Emperors’ clothes are lost in the cleaners.” It makes me think of the famous story/tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Which I feel, in America, we are reenacting right now. “You fucked the facts, I’m taking science back. It’s not up for debate…Have you figured it out yet?…It’s all been a fucking scam.”
Truer lyrics could not be written about what is happening right now and the music is awesomely, great as well.
I am become death is a fairly pessimistic statement but one that is true, as it is what we all will become.
And life? We may have little control over but how we react to it- we have nearly total control. We can smile and laugh or we can cry and frown and I nearly always choose the latter.
Life has not been the best for most this year and certainly, not for me, but I’m hanging in there. But I remember a few times in my life when life was beating me into the ground and that “I am become death” was awaiting me.
I can thank and you can blame, Andy Bang for pulling me through those rough times.
Life will always be hard but we can always be strong and we can overcome all that life sends us till it sends us to our grave.
I love this band, this two song release and I think they have an excellent name.
And I won’t become death till it’s sitting right beside me and even then, I might make the final choice.
I don’t believe in politicians or much about who guides our lives in society. I don’t believe in the people who say they know what’s right, what’s the best for me.
But great music, great art, great words will survive us all. And while I’m still breathing, this is what I’ll choose to believe in.
Like this band.
(Slimedog)
