After a quick detox over the festive season The Deathtones have reanimated and dug themselves back up from the grave after a very busy 2022 where they recorded and released no fewer than 8 singles and 4 EPs. The Deathtones formed in late 2021 releasing their first song "All Hallows Eve" that Oct, the rest as they say is history, as they spent last year doing as much as they possibly could releasing the aforementioned singles and EP's. They kick off 2023 in fine flesh grinding glory with this, their first full length 15 track album The American Invasion.
Having done all of that DIY style they cut a deal with UK label We Are Horror Records in the final months of last year and have not looked back. The Pennsylvanian five piece's lead singer Billy Bones had this to say about why they decided on this particular theme for their first album... "Well, the British invaded us a few times over the centuries... maybe now it's our turn!" before adding that an "invasion" in terms of zombies often goes like this... "there's always this gigantic horde sweeping over the land, destroying all in their path and adding more zombies to their ranks. That is how we as a band have felt this (last) year. Our ranks are growing and The Deathtones virus is spreading!". For a band looking to recruit an even bigger following, they are going about it the right way with The American Invasion. For those unfamiliar with the band this is a great introduction to The Deathtones blend of classic horrorpunk meets horror metal meets skate punk as it is a collection of all of their most prominent singles, some keys tracks from their EP's plus three brand new tracks for those of us keen to hear what is new from them for 2023.
They begin with one of my all time favourite songs of theirs "All Hallows Eve". This classic sounding horrorpunk tune is the epitome of cool and the riff gets instantly stuck in your head. A great track that really showcases Billy Bones sultry vocal talent. Leaving little room for contemplation they break out the first of their new tracks "The American Invasion", it has a pounding beat complete with keyboards and a killer riff giving it a rock n roll theme plus it is awesomely zombie heavy! The second new track comes later at track 7 with "Black Dahlia Beauty Mark" a catchy, creepy love song that is actually about a lady this time and not an ode to Leatherfaces chainsaw which you get earlier from "Here With Me (A Chainsaw Love Story)" but no less passionate. They save their third new track for the finale with a tribute to one of my favourite non-zombie horror movies (how do they know this??!!) the titty twisting "From Dusk Til Dawn". One of their more metal sounding tracks it has a dark imposing feel to it with some seriously evil sounding guitar and effective "woahs"! Add these new tracks to their tracks about Michael Myers, BTK, Jack The Ripper, the necronomicon, werewolves, vampires, all kinds of other ghoulish creatures and you get a pretty good idea of The Deathtones as the knowledgeable horror aficionados that they are plus their fantastic talent for writing music.
Encapsulating the true essence of a zombie invasion in a graphic novel style (courtesy of Dan Phillips) the artwork depicts a zombie army of unstoppable American soldiers charging en masse towards us (the listener) which has great depth and the more you look at it the more detail you notice. The Deathtones deserve to be unleashed onto a wider audience as I know that many of their songs will appeal to listeners of other genres as well as just the horrorpunk crowd, they work super hard to deliver us quality horror themed punk rock with a metal undertone. Check out The Deathtones back catalogue on their bandcamp page where you will find all of their releases!
