Review - Danzig 4 the 4th Studio Album by American Heavy Metal Band Danzig

Danzig is a band that has been around for nearly three decades. In my review of Metallica’s newest album Hardwired…To Self-Destruct, I mentioned the importance of having a purpose. The purpose of this next album review is to show that we still have things in the United States that are worth appreciating. And that particular thing is Danzig 4, the 4^th album by American heavy metal band Danzig released in 1994. This is the last album with that classic lineup that fans have been used to. Yes, 1994 was many years ago, but the United States was at one time one of the premier nations of the world for hard rock and heavy metal and Danzig 4 deserves a review. It was one of the best albums of 1994 along with Testament’s Low album. The song "Brand New God" speeds up and it is pretty entertaining even though it is not really a thrash metal song.

1. Brand New God
2. Little Whip
3. Cantspeak
4. Going Down to Die
5. Until You Call On the Dark
6. Dominion
7. Bringer of Death
8. Sadistikal
9. Son of the Morning Star
10. I Don’t Mind the Pain
11. Stalker Song
12. Let it Be Captured

"Brand New God" is a really groovy rock kind of song about a creature that is on the loose to get its prey. It is like a reaper stalking someone. When the thundering drum sound starts to come in with the riffing, you know this song is going to be special. Also, one of the highlights on this album is the next song called Little Whip! The song starts with some nice, soft guitar playing while Glenn’s voice adds to the atmosphere. The heaviness kicks in as Glenn does his trademark yelling. There is not as much of a thrash metal element on this album compared to Danzig 3. Brand New God and Little Whip are probably the two best songs on the album that is also sometimes known as Danzig 4p. "Little Whip" starts out with this atmospheric doom metal sound before it gets heavier and Glenn does his trademark yells. Some of you may be really annoyed with Glenn's constant yells especially in the song Little Whip. But if you hang in there, you will find this album pretty darn good.

Stylistically, Glenn and the other guys kind of shifted away from the hard rock and blues style of the first release to create something more aggressive and heavier while still retaining their doom metal sound. One example of this is the very famous song “Cantspeak” which was a major hit song on MTV back in the day.

"Bringer of Death" is another song you want to make sure to listen to

The only song that I can think of that sounds close enough to thrash metal is the song "Bringer of Death." That song starts with the sound of sirens and machine gun fire before it becomes a heavy song that I always enjoyed listening to when I was a teenager. The end of the song has a very catchy rhythm guitar part that you will want to hear over and over again.

The slower songs "Cantspeak" and "I Don’t Mind the Pain" were popular on MTV back in the day. There is a return to the blues style rock that we were exposed to on the albums Danzig and Danzig 2. One example of this is the song Going Down To Die. The song is about someone that is prepared to meet his ultimate destination after he has worked so hard in his life. It is almost like he knows that his final hours are approaching. Until You Call on the Dark is a song whose lyrical theme is similar to the song Snakes of Christ. It is about a force, a god that is sent down to inflict pain and suffering on mankind.

Overall, Danzig 4 is once again a solid release from this band even if it is not as popular as the first album. The strongest songs are Brand New God, Little Whip. Bringer of Death, and I Don’t Mind the Pain. Is it better than the self-titled first album? Wow, that’s a great question for whoever asks it and it is tough to make such a statement because all of the band’s first four releases were solid and epic!