Max Romeo ADD

Review

Album Review: Max Romeo - Horror Zone

07/26/2016

by Gardy Stein

"What if I tell you that the world is in trouble?"

At age 71, veteran Max Romeo throws out an album that is not only a direct continuation of the issues he addressed in his highly celebrated 1976 release War Ina Babylon (unfortunately, 40 years later our world still suffers from the same evils he criticised back then), but also of his legacy in terms of musical and vocal delivery. Horror Zone is a rather gloomy affair, as the cover suggests, and songs like the title track or The Sound Of War aptly capture the constant threat of armed conflicts, innocent suffering and senseless killing. The album was conceived as a tribute to the golden era of roots reggae and dub, and producer Daniel Boyle did all he could to let the glory of Black Ark productions shine again. Apart from vintage recording equipment and the re-unification of original members of The Upsetters (Vin Gordon on trombone, Glen Da Costa on saxophone and Robbie Lyn on keyboard), the Superape Lee 'Scratch' Perry himself has participated in the project on percussions, special effects and backing vocals.

And as if that wasn't extraordinary enough, Tony Wright, who had created the War Ina Babylon cover, hand-painted the artwork again, thus making it an album that "is designed to be owned as a physical product", as the press release suggests.

Next to the thematic treatment of war and suffering, Max Romeo turns to the meanness of people in general (Scammer Jammers) and destructive living in particular in Cigarette: "Instead of smoking a cigarette, try making love!" Faith has its place as well, of course, and in Give Thanks To Jehovah, the last track, the artist leaves us with a glimpse of hope.

The dub-versions of these nine songs are another piece of art that should be enjoyed with sufficient bass, as should the whole album. Horror Zone is an amazing project that, even though it doesn't leave us with a new Max Romeo hymn, brings to our attention the work of a concerned, critical mind, and skilful artists.

WATCH THE BRAND NEW VIDEO: GIVE THANKS TO JEHOVAH

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