Performance Art or Freak Show?

by Renel Holloman

Last night, the fine shores of Scotland were graced for the first time with American metalers Abysmal Crucifix. I had the misfortune of attending their live show at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. After tedious opener Tachyon did their thing, Abysmal took the stage — and we're all worse for it.

This is the first time the group has come to Europe to tour, but I can't claim disappointment in that. I've nitted several times about American's Puritan standards, but now we've gone too far the other way — the natural reaction, as when Americans drink themselves silly at 21 while Frenchies rarely develop problems with alcohol. Deprivation means overcompensation, and boy do Abysmal Crucifix overcompensate.

They've integrated Backseat Delightlah! cover model (rumoured to be frontman McDürchstein's lass) Margo Atwater as part of the stage show, and the things she does — the things he does to her — I cannot describe in a periodical like The Herald. Let us just say that I'm unlikely to look at doughnuts or hosepipes the same way.

Musically, they put on an up affair, but I cannot look past the overall strangeness of their antics. If I wanted to watch some dafties' foreplay, I'd reserve a supper table at the Saltmarket.

Reprinted from the Glasgow Herald, August 2, 1998