Hilarious take on life, metal and much, much more.
The name Brian Posehn probably isn't too well known to many metal heads. Perhaps if I mention the TV shows Just Shoot Me and Mr. Show then it might start to ring a few bells. Yep, Posehn is that guy. “Oh yeah” I hear some say as the penny drops. But Live In: Nerd Rage isn't your typical metal album. Posehn is a self proclaimed metal nerd, but this album is 90% stand up comedy with only two real songs on it. But that's ok, because there's metal involved.
Posehn's brand of dry humour was captured live on the Comedians Of Comedy tour and over the course of the 17 tracks that his stand-up routine has been split into on Live In: Nerd Rage, Posehn entertains with stories of his self proclaimed metal nerd teen years, high school reunions, his basset hound and his wife, experiences in movie theatres, getting revenge on those stereotypes that tormented him during his adolescence, and comparing modern day male and female fashions. It all adds up to a hilarious ride from start to finish as Posehn expresses his views on the above (as well as many other topics as well).
The final three tracks continue Posehn's brand of humour in the form of two bands - Posehn and Titannica - with a song from each, respectively titled Metal By Numbers and Try Again, Again. Metal By Numbers, which features the all-star backing band of guitarist Scott Ian (Anthrax, S.O.D.), bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, ex-Anthrax) and drummer John Tempesta (White Zombie, The Cult), is a riotous lyrical jab at today's metal scene as seen through the eyes of Posehn. Titannica's Try Again, Again, which is preceeded by a mock radio interview with the “group”, sounds suspiciously like Metallica's Enter Sandman (from their 1991 self titled album) but with some subtleties thrown in to separate the tracks.
Live In: Nerd Rage is chock full of laughs from start to finish. Some of it may raise a few eyebrows, and comedy, like all art, is subjective and it's fair to say it won't appeal to everyone. However, if you're sense of humour is warped enough, then you'll appreciate Posehn's view on life, metal and everything else that gets a look-in on here. Top it off with one of the funniest metal parodies I've heard in a long while, and for me, this album's a clear winner. Top notch all the way.
(Relapse Records/Riot! Distribution)
