ArnoCorps ‘The Fantastic EP’ Review: Goddamn Heroes and Sheroes rejoice!
[rating=5]
ArnoCorps are a band with a singular musical obsession; the filmography of action star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
What makes the band so consistently entertaining is their ability to do endless variations on this singular theme, all done with an intense delivery that has won them a loyal worldwide fan base .
Click here for my ArnoCorps concert review.
But whereas earlier releases focused primarily on Arnie’s sci-fi and action flicks, ‘The Fantastic EP‘ has Conan The Barbarian, and all its sequels and spinoffs in its sights.
And fitting this sword and sorcery theme, the band has expanded its bare bones thrash/punk sound and allowed for some Power Metal flourishes ala Dio, which is perfectly appropriate.
Even the album’s cover art (illustrated by vocalist Holzfeuer) reflects this tone, with artwork reminiscent of Frank Frazetta, the cover artist for many Conan novels and comic books.
Crom Strong On His Mountain harmonized guitar lines and churning rhythms is cinematic in scope, and Conan The Destroyer’s galloping rhythm and syncopated, melodic riffing channels vintage Iron Maiden.
Guitarists Erich Nagelbett and Vielmehr Klampfe give all the proceedings a symphonic flair anchored handily by dual bassists Inzo Der Barrakuda and Karl Dichtschnur. Along with drummer Baron Von Trotz ,this is a tight musical unit from start to finish.
The EP’s highlight lies in Red Sonja, which is as close to a power ballad as ArnoCorps will ever likely get, but the guttural snarls of vocalist Holzfeuer keep it away from maudlin territory.
Lyrically the band continues their combination of parodic lyrics delivered with authoritative musical delivery. To deliver satire with such a straight face is not easy, but it’s that exact mix that is crucial to their appeal.
Take this couplet from Red Sonja: It’s my duty to come to your aid. Hold on, Sonja! Sonja, come on! I’m a high lord, I’m sure to get laid. Warrior Sonja! Sonja, fight on!
The EP detours from the Cimmerian Barbarian with Hercules, which references Schwarzenegger’s stinker movie début Hercules Goes To New York (aka Hercules Goes Bananas). Amidst heavy Sturm Und Drang Holzfeuer howls: I don’t have any money, profit by my instruction. Those men don’t throw it far enough. That is not Hercules, he doesn’t even look like me. Look, does he? Ha ha ha!
The album ends with Exactly, which uses Arnie’s unintentionally hilarious Conan DVD commentary as lyrical fodder, all set against a blistering metal barrage: Making the sword. Building the sword, building the steel. If you believe that, you’d also believe there are Richard Simmons Juniors running around!
The Fantastic EP will surely satisfy ArnoCorps fan base of goddamn Heroes and Sheroes. But panty-waists need not apply!
You can order ArnoCorps The Fantastic EP from iTunes and Amazon via the links below:
And check out these Conan-tastic items from Entertainment Earth:
