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The Blessed Virgin Larry
THE BLESSED VIRGIN LARRY
Interviews: Rock Eyes Interview with Gamma Raye REVIEWS: The Blessed Virgin Larry - (TBVL) Now, I admit that I had my assumptions when I heard not only the name of this artist but also when I actually got a peak at Gamma (TBVL vocalist) himself. First thought will more or less go to for most people "oh no...the Marilyn Manson clones have started". If you do that like I did...then fine...but make sure that you don't make that the end of this CD. Gamma and companies latest release I take as purely fun to listen to. I don't take it ultra seriously like I quite seriously can do a lot of the time. These talented musicians from Florida, who no doubt take their music more seriously than I do, are enjoying a decent amount of exposure for a band that is still relatively independent. They even have put together a very well done video for "I'm Killing You" which prominently displays those famous Florida bible thumpers that I've heard so much about. TBVL at times even incorporate very western style music. The only qualm that I have had over this CD is that the production could have been a bit better. Things could have been a little more crisp. Though that is something very easily fixed as they continue to garner attention from the press. With Manson's wane in popularity we may be seeing someone else taking up the torch in his place...from what I've seen and heard I'd rather have Gamma heading it than most others.
The Blessed Virgin Larry Proving that there’s more behind the shock rock than just a few outlandish costumes and Roxx Gang’s decaying hairspray, The Blessed Virgin Larry return with their web-sanctioned release. MP3.com’s comp of BLV tracks is a generous selection of their bombastic techrock- a hard-edged, synth-driven sound from the digital bowels of Ministry and Laibach, curved with an early morning Gothic bend. A little bit blasphemous (“Santa’s Coming To Town”), a whole lotta doomy chording (“Fish Head Soup”), and a few gender stretching hymns (“The Girl You Fear”) later, Conspiracy is meant as a commercial blend of metal hedonism mixed with pop techno for the First Amendment mongers amongst us. Yeah, well, we’re obviously paid to mention Marilyn Manson’s name at least ten times an ish, so the shock and sonics have some reference. But BLV’s tunes may be a tad more groove-oriented, given the futuristic slant of the electronic percussion and noodled keyboard treatments. |
It is humbly acknowledged that a new reigning King for the shock
rock show business genre has emerged from the underground who is
positioned to snatch the throne from the one whose posterior has
been in it for way too long. Gamma and his band, The Blessed Virgin
Larry, will convince you that they have worked hard for the title
and deserve it more so than any other band on the scene. This outfit
is described as The Munsters Meet Batman with Quentin Tarantino
Directing which is more than apropos. The lyrics are true to life in
one form or another and despite the parental advisory due to verbal
content, it cannot be denied that what they are singing about holds
a wealth of truth. This is portrayed as seen from the eyes of
artists who have had enough of the deceit from a sanctimonious
world. It represents our harshly awakened angst related to those who
claim love thy neighbor as they smilingly stab you in the back. It
may be unpleasant for some to hear, and even more unpleasant to
acknowledge the validity behind their words, but there is no denying
that this band has something to say, and they say it very well.
Beyond the lyrics, however are the profound warbled Batman / Munster
style guitars licks, and the tight hybrid fusion of gothic, Glam
rock and industrial that is thoroughly enchanting and entertaining.
Gamma is our lead singer, who is thanking the public for purchasing
BVL products. The fact that BVL spent money to record, reproduce and
distribute a thank you to the public should endear the listener to
this band more than ever. TBVL push the envelope far over the edge
and at times, lets it fall right to the floor. They are foremost
rock entertainers who have profound insight into the human
condition. Impact tactics are utilized to wake up a somnolent and
zombie like public who disregard the insanity of a hypocritical
world. TBVL's morphic androgyny leaves no theoretical stone unturned
as they give their viewpoint, cloaked in expertly constructed
rhythms. It is an accomplished effort to desensitize the taboos that
most people fear to tread upon. Effective use of warbled guitar
chords, as well as delving into industrial sound technology,
demonstrates the large cross over appeal that this band engenders.
This is not a band that thrashes on a guitar for the sake of making
noise. The sound is unique, controlled, professionally executed and
thoroughly entertaining. At first glance, the cover of this work may cause some to
conclude that this band is a Marilyn Manson rip-off or worse, a MM
wannabe. Initially there was some hesitancy to review this work due
to the title of the CD and this reviewer's aversion to sophomoric
ploys utilizing anything even remotely demonic or evil. Bias aside,
the music was played and the first listening indicated that there
was no doubt that this band is built to last and is providing a
sound that many are thirsting for in the public domain. Also a rude
awakening was provided to differentiate from artists who are pure
show business and those who have more sinister motives. It is humbly
acknowledged that a new reigning King for the shock rock show
business genre has emerged from the underground who is positioned to
snatch the throne from the one whose posterior has been in it for
way too long. Gamma and his band, The Blessed Virgin Larry, will
convince you that they have worked hard for the title and deserve it
more so than any other band on the scene. This outfit is described
as The Mun
ster's
Meet Batman with Quentin Tarantino Directing which is more than
apropos. The lyrics are true to life in one form or another and despite
the parental advisory due to verbal content, it cannot be denied that
what they are singing about holds a wealth of truth. This is portrayed
as seen from the eyes of artists who have had enough of the deceit from
a sanctimonious world. It represents our harshly awakened angst related
to those who claim love thy neighbor as they smilingly stab you in the
back. It may be unpleasant for some to hear, and even more unpleasant
to acknowledge the validity behind their words, but there is no denying
that this band has something to say, and they say it very well. Beyond
the lyrics, however are the profound warbled Batman / Munster style
guitars licks, and the tight hybrid fusion of gothic, Glam rock and
industrial that is thoroughly enchanting and entertaining. Gamma is our
lead singer, who is thanking the public for purchasing BVL products.
The fact that BVL spent money to record, reproduce and distribute a
thank you to the public should endear the listener to this band more
than ever. TBVL push the envelope far over the edge and at times, lets
it fall right to the floor. They are foremost rock entertainers who
have profound insight into the human condition. Impact tactics are
utilized to wake up a somnolent and zombie like public who disregard
the insanity of a hypocritical world. TBVL's morphic androgyny leaves
no theoretical stone unturned as they give their viewpoint, cloaked in
expertly constructed rhythms. It is an accomplished effort to
desensitize the taboos that most people fear to tread upon. Effective
use of warbled guitar chords, as well as delving into industrial sound
technology, demonstrates the large cross over appeal that this band
engenders. This is not a band that thrashes on a guitar for the sake of
making noise. The sound is unique, controlled, professionally executed
and thoroughly entertaining. The band has completed a costly video that
is making its way through the various review channels and rumor has it
that it will be premiered as an online exclusive within the next month.
Keep an eye on the band's web page and Mp3 page for the exciting
developments!
