From San Clemente California, the Star Strangled Bastards brings us “Red, White, and Dead” which is how I felt after a few days of trying to say their name without stuttering. With the tongue twister done, I dove into the music. The songs are technically polished and practiced, which is impressive since this disc was recorded in two days! I was pretty impressed with the guitar work especially with the speed and the number of chords played at a time. Their sound like most metal bands one could buy off the shelf of any music store inspired by Megadeth or Pantera. As impressive as the short time in which the disc was made is, it may have served them better to take a wee bit more time in the production department. It can be really annoying when songs lend into one another with no separation, but perhaps I’m just being picky. The vocals are a little murky which does hurt the theme of the band as a political statement. The lyrics represent an anger and antagonism toward backstabbing and lying to the common man but that could have been drawn out better with specifics like who or what is the group angry at. As much as I do like the sound and direction they are going, some better post production and touching up the lyrics would have given them a more serious edge. With that little extra effort they could be on their way to carving a name for themselves.

In this the year of the concept album, its good to finally see a band who actually has an original concept, something that goes beyond politics bling and fantasy. Something that moves you emotionally and mentally, with Accomplishments of Leopold II, Severe Illusion has created an album that is beautiful and complex musically pushing their sound with driving synths and distorted vocals. Based on the heinous acts committed by Belgium’s King Leopold II in the African Congo from 1885-1908, this disc captures the pain and torment the people of the region underwent during Leopold’s reign. The suffering of those who lost their lives is here along with the will to over come their oppressors and reclaim what was stolen from them. You can hear it in tracks like “Girl with a knife in her hand”, close your eyes and you can almost see a young girl fending off attackers as the bass pulses in your ears. You find yourself wanting to rejoice to “The King is dead” as the disc takes you through this page in world history, from the lowest of the low and the dizzying highs of freedom. This album is so good if your like me you’ll find yourself trying to find more info on this point in time. There is nothing more satisfying than being entertained while learning and with Accomplishments of Leopold II, Severe Illusion has accomplished just that.