Band: DeSalvo
Title: Mood Poisoner
Label: Rock Action Records
Distribution: ?
Release date: June 2009
Review: CD

Well well well, what a mind-confusing and surreal release this is! And it’s not just the music (what’s in a name?), but it all starts with the album’s lay-out: expressive nuns and pigs on the cover; the members’ picture (sweet boys, that’s evident), and titles as "Cock Swastika", "Latrine Lizard", "Spandoflage" or "Ripper Situation" - what about controversy and a f*ck you-mentality?

Mood Poisoner lasts for thirty five minutes and was released through Rock Action Records, a label run by Mogwai. However, DeSalvo’s music has nothing to do with Mogwai, believe me. Opening track Brown Flag penetrates you with a masochistic madness, combining schizophrenic Grindcore with psychotic Noise, O.L.D.-alike riffs, eccentric breaks and technical hooks, and The Dillinger Escape Plan-precision. This technical craftsmanship also goes for several other tracks, because most compositions are built upon a weird yet supportive basement of shocking extremism as well as ‘intelligent’ and ironic song writing. Some compositions are interspersed with elements from Punk and / or Hardcore, others with hints of Sludge or Groove, and even Stoner and (Industrial) Metal may have been of influence.
Highly recommended to fans of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, O.L.D., Siebensünden, The Red Chord and Cephalic Carnage.

84/100

Ivan Tibos.