Nazi Gold

A Message of Love (Super Secret)

Nazi Gold hits paydirt on first strike. The Austin trio featuring prolific guitarist/bassist/singer Quin Galavis, Swans drummer Thor Harris, and Flesh Lights bassist and vocalist Jeremy Steen magnify post-punk’s dark art with teeth-rattling rhythms and hurdling melodies. From the needle drop of opener “Breaker” to the looping repetition of the vinyl’s front-side closer, “Tape,” the rhythm section lays an absolutely pounding groundwork that’s industrial in action and punk in fidelity. Galavis builds on the jams with countermelodies of synced guitar leads and vocals. While the first four tracks spin musical highlights, the flipside comes comparably song-focused, leading with memorable Steen-screamed battle call “Old Guns” followed by the best example of Galavis’ plainspoken yet enigmatic prose, a distorted sea shanty called “Criminal” that implies love isn’t something you give, it’s something you steal. The short run time, defined sound, and strongly delivered performances make this a very solid debut.

***.5

This article appears in December 28 • 2012.

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