Glenn Danzig: prince of darkness, evil incarnate, unholy ruler, et al. See also: @danziglore
He is also known for some seriously rocking albums. Post-Misfits/post-Samhain Danzig albums are a hit or miss affair, but I think most fans can settle on the fact that the first four albums in the Danzig catalog are the best of the bunch. There is the undeniable classic “Mother”, the lesser known, but still awesome “Soul On Fire”, or the Beavis and Butthead approved “How The Gods Kill”. The list goes on and on. And as it is October 31st, ‘tis the season to celebrate with some holiday appropriate music, so I give you the Danzig 13, personally curated by yours truly. Get out your skull belts, light the black candles, and throw the horns…
1. “Twist Of Cain” (Danzig) – Why not start off with the first track from his first album, simply known as Danzig? The blueprint for all that would follow, until the decent into faux-industrial metal that is.
2. “Evil Thing” (Danzig) – Another quintessential Danzig tune, not as popular as the ubiquitous “Mother”, but just as awesome. A slow buildup until a serious 4 on the floor stomp.
3. “Soul On Fire” (Danzig) – A slower number, but still evil. EMA also does a wicked cover of this.
4. “Long Way Back From Hell” (Danzig II) – Those divebomb guitar lines, the galloping bass – the perfect music to announce one’s return from hell. The opening track on Danzig II: Lucifuge.
5. “777″ (Danzig II) – Slide guitar + evil Elvis + lyrics about fire, flame and night = EVIL. Not sure where this one came from it’s kind of an anomaly on Danzig II, but it’s got a seriously catchy (and evil) groove.
6. “Godless” (Danzig III) – While the first 2 Danzig albums were more about straight-up rock with some blues tossed in for effect, Danzig III was all about setting the mood. Sure the band still rocked – just darker and more moody this time around. The production was fuller, more emphasis was put on the atmosphere of the songs, the trademark Danzig wail was at the peak of it’s powers, and never sounded this good again.
7. “Dirty Black Summer” (Danzig III) – In the Danzig calendar year, there are only two seasons: the winter, and the dirty black summer.
8. “How The Gods Kill” (Danzig III) – My vote for the spookiest song in the Danzig catalogue. Evenly split between a creepy guitar line and creepier piano, and serious rocking, it’s got something evil for everyone. Beavis and Butthead approved.
9/10. “Heart Of The Devil”/”Bodies” (Danzig III) – If there was ever any doubt that Danzig’s vocal stylings were heavily influenced the by blues singers of yore, look no further than this song.
11. “Going Down To Die” (Danzig IV) – Even on the transitional Danzig 4, the bluesier numbers still resonate the most. Here the evil one gets a little melancholy on us, but it’s still evil, and still badass.
12. “Her Black Wings” (Danzig II) – One can be evil, but still show some love for the ladies – the evil ladies, that is.
13. “Brand New God” (Danzig IV) – “I am a walking screaming hell, a thing of torture to behold…” Only Danzig could deliver this lyric convincingly, and he does, right before the band rips into one of the heaviest, most aggressive songs in the Danzig catalog.
