SUICIDAL TENDENCIES — Lights... Camera... Revolution! (review)

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES — Lights... Camera... Revolution! album cover

Album · 1990 · Crossover Thrash

5/5 · 2023-02-02
UMUR

"Lights, Camera, Revolution" is the 4th full-length studio album by US, California based crossover/thrash metal act Suicidal Tendencies. The album was released through Epic Records in July 1990. It´s the successor to "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today" from 1988 although the two full-length studio albums are bridged by the 1989 "Controlled by Hatred / Feel like Shit... Deja Vu" EP. There´s been one lineup change since the predecessor as bassist Bob Heathcote has been replaced by Robert Trujillo.

The addition of Trujillo and his considerable playing skills have provided Suicidal Tendencies with another dimension, which they opt to explore on several tracks on the album. Trujillo´s funk influenced slap-bass is especially audible on "Lovely" and on "Send Me Your Money". Overall "Lights, Camera, Revolution" features a much more mature sounding Suicidal Tendencies than heard before. Everything from the songwriting, to the level of the musicianship, to the quality of the sound production have been given a lift since the predecessor. The music style is still at its core crossover thrash metal, but the hardcore influences have decreased, and the band have incorporated more melodic heavy metal elements and more "regular" (non-hardcore punk influenced) thrash metal riffs and rhythms to their sound. Lead vocalist Mike Muir has also increased his vocal style repetoire, and proves how versatile a vocalist he actually is.

"Lights, Camera, Revolution" is an album loaded with quality material. Highlights include "You Can't Bring Me Down", "Lost Again" (the main riff is such a tasty and heavy thrash metal riff), and "Send Me Your Money", but tracks like "Get Whacked" and "Disco's Out, Murder's In" also score high in my book. There´s actually not a single sub par track on the album, which also features a well constructed tracklist ensuring a good album flow.

As mentioned the musicianship is on a high level on all posts. I´ve already discussed the skills and performances by Trujillo and Muir, but guitarists Mike Clark and Rocky George need a mention too. The former for his strong rhythm guitar playing and the latter for his many incredibly well played and melodic guitar solos. George has often been celebrated for the great guitarist he is, but I´ll still give him one more deserved praise here. Drummer R.J. Herrera is probably the most regular musician on board, but he gets the job done well too.

To my ears "Lights, Camera, Revolution" is the peak of Suicidal Tendencies career, although they had/have released great albums both before and since. It´s their masterpiece and through and through a high quality release. It´s a combination of a band with a unique sound, who are technically skilled, and who can write music and lyrics which leave a lasting impression on the listener. If I was to name some classic thrash metal albums from the 80s/early 90s to a thrash metal newbie as mandatory listening, this would definitely be one of them. A 5 star (100%) rating is deserved.