Album Details

• Artist: Death
• Album: ...for The Whole World To See
• Label: Drag City
• Year of Release: 2009
• Original Release: 1975
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2009-01-28

Death is proof that history is never complete, and a lot of it lies buried, just waiting to be found to shake the official record. In the early 70s, in Detroit-that much written about cauldron of a punk, post-punk, whatever-there was a trio of African-Americans, the Hackney brothers, who recorded seven hot slabs of rock that anticipate all that has come after. Much like the recent props given to Rocket From The Tombs, Death deserves a place at the godfathers of punk table. So much for Bad Brains being the first all-black rock band, or the first punk band to evolve into reggae.

"...For The Whole World To See" collects the seven tracks meant for a major label release, which was scrubbed because, in true 60s/70s fashion, they refused to change their name to make it more marketable. The opener, "Keep on Knocking," wears its influences proudly, being a slab of greasy Detroit punk mixed with sharp Mod power chords. Like wise, "Rock-N-Roll Victim" and "Let The World Turn" are snarling rockers full of the righteous anger and hope of the period. Lyrically, "You're A Prisoner," "Politicians in my Eyes" and the trippy, extended "Where Do We Go From Here" are even more explicitly of their era, but for the most part hold up well. The fierce energy this trio produces is high class. Had they gotten better promotion and/or luck, they may have gotten godfather status thirty years ago during the first wave of punk

Death drifted into reggae, gospel, and then apart, but "...For The Whole World To See" rights historical wrongs and shines a light on a band with talent, anger and chops to spare. An essential release.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2009-03-07 SolitaryMan Said:

Bah, bad name choice. People like me will see "Death" and instantly think of the (actual) legendary death-metal band fronted by the late Chuck Shuldiner.
Not Rated