Karp bowed out of existence with this monster of a record, arguably the best influence Iron Maiden has ever had on any other band ever (the worthy-of-worship song titles are all the band’s own, though). From the balls-out opening riff on the brilliant “Bacon Industry” to the closing, throat-shredding mania on “J Is for Genius,” this quite literally self-titled record simply does not and will not let up. The vocals sounds even more raw and raunchy than before — this is hard rock that lives up to the name — and the temptation to pump one’s fist is almost impossible to resist. The trio’s ear for sassy, snarling, hip-grinding hooks gives everything a sandpaper-rough edge to hang onto, explaining why the stomp and sway of “Forget the Minions” and “Octoberfleshed” are so damn worthy of being cranked up all the way to 11. Even if the lyrics can’t really be heard — then again, do they need to be? — they too are wonderful, if only for such head-shaking combinations as, “My Mazaradi goes 185/I lost my license/So now I can’t drive,” or, in “D & D Fantasy,” “You pay for what you get/A f*cked Erector Set with indoor plumbing!” The coup de grace is an unlisted bonus track that has all three of them just frenetically letting loose, voices yelling about the devil and the like over pure theatrical, idiotic, and wonderful metal angst-like volume. It couldn’t be finer. Just what is needed if waking the dead is the goal — or ensuring the neighbors will grab torches and start calling for a public burning. – Ned Raggett