Review: Murderdolls – Women And Children Last

Sergio reviews Murderdolls’ Women and Children Last.

Artist Name: Murderdolls
Album Name: Women And Children Last
Year: 2010
Genre: Horror Rock

After 8 years since their first album, the Murderdolls (Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison) have finally returned with their much anticipated new record, Women and Children Last. Produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris and Jordison, Women and Children Last is attempting to prove that rock ’n roll has always been about breaking the rules and going against the norm.

In reality, Joey and Wednesday have transformed the Murderdolls from the bullish punk sound of Beyond The Valley of the Murderdolls to more of a rock (featuring metal) approach – it’s safe to say that Women and Children Last draws more from Mötley Crüe than Misfits this time around. Speaking of which, there’s also a special guest appearance by Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars on two tracks (‘Drug Me To Hell’ and ‘Blood-Stained Valentine’) – you’ll instantly recognise Mick’s whammy bar guitar parts!

Aside from the “new” sound, you can’t help but notice a lot more swagger and confidence, as tracks, such as ‘Drug Me To Hell’ and ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll is All I Got’, rely on the attitude conveyed as opposed to outstanding musicianship or technicality. That being said – and to their credit – the Murderdolls have also expanded on their power-chord, 200mph methods of before and written original material instead of just rehashing old Frankenstein Drag Queens songs.

Nonetheless, fans of Beyond The Valley need not fear as you’ll still have ‘Nowhere’ and ‘Hello, Goodbye, Die’ to keep you entertained as you blissfully recall the countless times you screeched along in euphoria to the Murderdolls’ 2002 debut. They’re not singing as much about zombies and horror characters as they used to, but I’m sure you’ll still find tracks about bloody chapels, mutilated lovers, drugs and hell interesting enough (Wednesday writes the best lyrics ever!).

The guitars drip more tone, the lyrics are angrier and the all-round attitude of the record snarls in your face like a bearded demon, as the campy – almost horror comedy – nature of before has nearly dissolved to make way for a serious rock ’n roll beast. Women and Children Last is certainly a more violent version of the Murderdolls. Highly recommended!

Best Tracks: ‘Drug Me To Hell’, ‘Nowhere’, ‘My Dark Place Alone’, and ‘Hello, Goodbye, Die’

88/100

- Sergio Pereira
sergio@musicreview.co.za
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