Entertainment

Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Derision Cult – Charlatan’s Inc (2021)

Now we can consider this a special JAR of sorts. A smaller EP review request came through, and I’m always game for more underground bands. Derision Cult aren’t newbies, but let’s see how some Chicago Industrial metal tastes!

Published

4 years ago

September 26, 2021

Andrew Balaz

Now we can consider this a special JAR of sorts. A smaller EP review request came through, and I’m always game for more underground bands. Derision Cult aren’t newbies, but let’s see how some Chicago Industrial metal tastes!

So this is apparently the 15^th release from the band, though a lot of it seems to be EPs, Demos and Remixes. Dave McAnally is the man behind the band, and has done all of the work in only 7 years since the earliest release I can find it 2014. As with many of the albums in 2021, this was recorded during 2020 during a time where media was a bigger player in everyone’s life since we were all mostly stuck inside.

Another interesting twist to the perspective here is Dave was an advertising executive for 20 years before using music as his outlet to get his perspective across. Given all that, if anyone was going to point out things about media and advertising; someone from the inside makes a ton of sense.

Artist: Derision Cult
Album: Charlatan’s Inc (2021)
Label: South Street Dungeon

The Great Reset has a nice crunchy and quick riff that drives home the Fear Factory industrial sound. Once the vocals kick in my only complaint is that the mix has the vocals a little too low and washed into the instrumentation. However the way the singing is done reminds me of Chuck Billy or Dave Mustaine since it’s more of a gruff croon than classic singing. Lyrically we set the tone with discussion of lobbyists, corporate money and politics being controlled by said money and vice versa. Call a Man God punches you in the teeth with machine gun double bass and attacking guitars, and sounds a lot like a Testament song from the Low era. While the mix issues with some of the vocals and the radio samples is still noticeable, the message is clear about basically creating your own problem. Call a man a liar, he’ll believe it, call a man God, etc… are all sayings we’ve heard since youth.

Amplify is heavy, guitar driven and continues the tone of being manipulated through many ways. Even bringing up the Facebook, Google search, spyware concept that we all know is present. So from manipulation through war or fear, or just knowing you really want a Ninja Turtles t-shirt, the government is aware of as much as they want to be. Worlds Collide picks up on the riff that Amplify ended on and stays in more of a southern sludge motif with the spoken political snippets thrown in. Manipulation remains the main theme, bringing up the derisive cesspool that many News outlets have become. Merely spouting an angle to rile up one side or the other, all as a manipulation tactic. The Chairshot’s own conspiracy theorist Chris Platt brings up the Hegelian Dialect often, which in its simplest form; is both sides of a subject being motivated for their cause, with only a compromise as the solution. So no matter which sides sees more victory, it was all set in motion by a person or in this use of imagery, the government. With the compromise usually coming from the manipulating party. So manipulation within manipulation, while being seen as giving something up for the “greater good”.

This is Control adds a Static X techno vibe to the beginning of the song. With the bass kicking in over the added elements, it grooves along like something from Orgy. If you treat this song more as a bridge to the next, like Amplify, then this sets the stage for the next act so to speak. Charlatans continues to techno-industrial instrumentation and hits the tribalism concepts well. As we’ve established control and manipulation through media is the driving theme of the album. As a listener you get the vibe these songs could be in the backdrop of Blade Runner or a more modern interpretation of 1984 Orwellian dystopia. They do have a line in the chorus about towing the party line, which makes the chorus quite catchy.

View from the Cross starts off with a very prominent guitar riff and underlying bassline that motivates the ear towards the verses. Lyrically its very relatable starting off about having a degree but being in a dead end job. I-VI-MMXXI if you know Roman Numerals, you know what this song is about. For those who don’t 1-6-2021, the date of the Capitol attack. Which when it boils down to it, that was also driven based on manipulation and people thinking they were in the right or needed to do something to protect people. This is really just the beginning if we continue to let politicians or at the very least, politically motivated angles manipulate the media.

Even if you don’t agree with the full breadth of the lyrical themes, there’s definitely truth behind the concepts. As for an album, this feels more like the beginning calls of a movement more so than a concept album, which isn’t a bad thing, but it is alienating. The music in this EP is a very nice mix of crunchy attacking thrash at times, Industrial with a touch of Groove and electronic metal. So you won’t be disappointed with the music.

All in all, the two biggest flaws are the mix for the vocals and the lyrical themes. Granted the lyrical themes are more anti-capitalism than Conservative or Socialist, but we all know how most things get interpreted nowadays (which is kinda the point of the album, now ain’t it). Personally I also wasn’t a huge fan of two songs basically being bridges to the following songs, but that’s purely a matter of liking each song to stand on its own unless it’s a 45 second noodle or interlude.

Final Judgment: 7.25/10

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This week, the NERDS are back in full force, and there is no shortage of topics to discuss. Episode 8 of Daredevil: Born Again was filled with drama, surprises, and a stunning ending that left all the Nerds wondering what will happen next. After a few weeks’ absence, the Trailer Park returns to look at upcoming releases such as F1, a wild-looking sequel for M.E.G.A.N., another great-looking series on Apple TV (Murderbot), and the finale of the Mission Impossible series. Plus, we get to the Sweet 16 of Villain Madness! Which ultimate bad guys/gals punched their tickets to the Elite 8? All that and, of course Whatcha Watchin”?

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PROWRESTLINGTEES.COM/TheChairshot – Makes a GREAT GIFT!!!

About Bandwagon Nerds

Join Patrick O’Dowd, David Ungar, PC Tunney, Rey Cash, and DPP as they keep everyone up on all things nerd, and maybe add some new nerds along the way. It’s the Bandwagon Nerds Podcast!

About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Entertainment

Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/10/25)

It’s gonna be May!

Published

1 week ago

April 10, 2025

Steven Mitchell

There’s been a slight change in the forecast…

There may not be a storm on the horizon, but when Wrestling Is Life, every day is unpredictable! What does HPW have planned for May Day?

HPW prepares for the storm ahead…

Blood & Thunder still beckons, and the Faces of Evil need to defend their HPW World Trios Championships. Therefore, Wrestling Is Life will see two qualifying trios matches! After the controversial nature of losing the titles at HyruleMania, Arrow Club is given a spot in these qualifiers. And they will be facing familiar foes in TSDQ! The Studly Don’t Quit, but will they make it through to ThunderStruck? As for the second qualifier, Los Taros Locos will return in hopes of stampeding up to the top of HPW, but they’ll be up against quite the mysterious team. Cia represents the OG Dark Forces expelled from the group, and she’ll bring her sister, Lana, with her!

But who is their third partner? They didn’t name them, so who could it be? Volga? Kevin Gibdo? Or even Wizzro? Will keeping it an unknown be the key to winning?

Igos du Ikana speaks.

From inside his shadowy throne room, The Ruler of Ruin looks at the HPW Death Mountain Championship on a pedestal. “The HPW Death Mountain Championship. A championship created not just to commemorate one of Hyrule’s greatest landmarks, but also to commemorate one of Hyrule’s greatest wrestling promotions. Death Mountain Wrestling was a vital part of wrestling history, where legends would pave the way for a new generation, and inspire many more. Not unlike Termina Championship Wrestling.”

Igos walks past the pedestal to look to a trophy case. Igos looks to his copy of the classic TCW Championship, and even of the High Noon Championship. There are also poster sized pictures of Igos’ greatest moments, such as the first time he won the TCW title, and the last time he held it while TCW was still active. Igos continues by saying, “I say this not because you don’t know. Of course you know this. I say this so that you might understand. I say this because I need you to understand. You have great aspirations, and strong ambition, but I don’t think you understand what you’re attempting to achieve.

“You stand at the foot of a mountain, it’s shadow upon you. That mountain’s name is legacy. You want to climb the mountain. You want to reach the top and plant your own flag at the summit. You want everyone to see you, to look up to you, to acknowledge you. But this climb is more challenging than you know. This climb is more challenging than you can handle. These belts may only be ten pounds, but they weigh so much more once you put them on. You are not ready for the climb. You are not ready to carry that weight. You are not ready to push yourself, step after step, inch after inch, as the mountain only grows steeper and steeper. And you never will be.

“So I tell you this not because you do not know. I tell you this so that you may understand. You must turn back now, find another path forward, before it is too late. Before you fall… to ruin.” It is clear who this message is for, but will young Yunobo heed this grizzled warrior’s warning?

HPW Deep Dive: Wisdom VS Power.

The Princess of Hyrule visits Hero of Hyrule, Link, now that he’s home from the hospital. He still needs bed rest, given everything Ganon did to him. He has bandages around his head, and his sister, Aryll, checks his stitches. 13 stitches all along the hairline. They’re holding well, no bleeding. Zelda sits with Link and holds his hand. She apologizes for what happened, but Link shakes his head. Aryll agrees, Zelda’s not to blame, Ganon and his Dark Forces are. They ruined her moment, they beat Link down, so they they have to be stopped. Ganon’s coming after the title anyway, so Zelda can get payback at the same time.

Ganon says, “Like I give a damn.” The Gerudo Ace lounges in his manor, The Dark Forces all around him. That now includes Shabonne & Tali, sporting new ensembles to reflect joining up. The Faces of Evil have their HPW World Trios Championships while Ganon has the Triforce Tournament trophy in hand. Ganon then mockingly says, “YoU dEsErVe It~! YoU dEsErVe It~!” Audio from the Triforce Anniversary event is interspliced here, as well as flashes of Zelda being emotional as she has the title belt put on.

“Isn’t it strange that Zelda takes the fall at HyruleMania, but I’m the one relegated to the tournament? And she clearly has that pointy eared little simp wrapped around her finger, or else he wouldn’t have even agreed to the match. But hey, what do I know? I only beat Link one-on-one in his first defense, then beat Zelda one-on-one in my first defense. I’m the Triple Crown Champion, I beat legends of TCW, and I’m this year’s Triforce Tournament winner. No one is more deserving of that title, of whatever title there is, than me! Isn’t that right?” The group all say, “Yeah!”

Ganon says, “The Dark Forces will be golden!” The group again shouts, “Yeah!” Ganon says, “The Dark Forces RUNS HPW!” The group again shouts, “YEAH!!” The Dark Forces all raise a glass to drink it up, while Link rests his head on Zelda’s shoulder and she rests her head on his. The Princess of Hyrule may reign, but will she fail to trump the Gerudo Ace? The countdown is on until May 1st, when Wrestling is Life!