- A Ferocious Thrash Punk Onslaught with No Mercy
"MONEY TALKS" resonates as Cryptic Slaughter's second album, a fierce declaration on a 12" Vinyl LP from Metal Blade Records. This thrash metal onslaught, released by the American band, reinforces their uncompromising approach to the genre. As the second album in Cryptic Slaughter's discography, "MONEY TALKS" cements the band's reputation for sonic intensity and raw energy, making it an essential piece in the tapestry of thrash metal history.
In the realm of thrashing guitars, pounding drums, and guttural vocals, Cryptic Slaughter's second album, "Money Talks", stands as a testament to their uncompromising sound and unapologetic attitude. Released under Metal Blade Records, this 12" vinyl LP album is a definitive piece of the band's discography, a creation that embodies their unique blend of aggression and musical prowess.
Produced jointly by Bill Metoyer and Cryptic Slaughter themselves, "Money Talks" exudes a raw energy that captures the essence of the band's hardcore punk and thrash metal fusion. Bill Metoyer's touch as both producer and engineer is evident in the album's meticulous sound engineering. The recording process, which took place at several locations including Stagg Street Studio, Van Nuys, CA, Preferred Sound in Woodland Hills, CA, Pacific Sound in Chatsworth, CA, and Track Records in Los Angeles, CA, contributed to the album's diverse sonic landscape.
The album's sound engineers, including Scott Campbell, Kevin Beauchamp, Brian Carlstrom, and Ken Paulakovich, played a crucial role in bringing the album's sonic intricacies to life. Their expertise in capturing the raw intensity of Cryptic Slaughter's performance is evident throughout the tracks, providing a canvas for the band's music to unfold.
At its core, "Money Talks" is driven by the talents of its band members, each contributing their distinct musical prowess. Bill Crooks, with his powerful vocals, becomes the voice of the band's rebellious spirit. His delivery is filled with a relentless energy that complements the intensity of the music.
Les Evans' guitar work adds layers of complexity to the album's sonic tapestry. His ability to transition seamlessly between intricate melodies and blistering riffs showcases the band's genre-defying approach. Rob "Blasko" Nicholson's basslines provide a solid foundation, adding depth and groove to the band's sonic assault while also contributing backing vocals that enhance the album's dynamic range.
Driving the rhythm with unwavering precision is Scott Peterson on drums. His drumming style perfectly encapsulates the album's relentless pace, infusing each track with an infectious energy that invites headbanging and moshing.
In the realm of vinyl enthusiasts, this 12" LP holds a special place. The warmth of analog sound and the tactile experience of handling vinyl create an immersive journey through Cryptic Slaughter's sonic landscape. The album cover itself, a visual representation of chaos and critique, sets the tone for the music within.
Music Genre: Hardcore Punk Crossover Thrash Metal |
Album Production information: The album: "CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER - Money Talks" was produced by: Bill Metoyer and Cryptic Slaughter Bill Metoyer is a legendary music producer and sound engineer known for shaping the sound of heavy metal. As Vice President and in-house engineer at Metal Blade Records in the 1980s, he worked with iconic bands like Slayer, Armored Saint, and Flotsam and Jetsam. His expertise in capturing metal’s raw intensity has left a lasting impact on the genre.
Learn more on his biography page.
Engineered by Bill Metoyer
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Record Label & Catalognr: Metal Blade Records RR 9607 |
Media Format: 12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country: 1987 Made in Holland |
The Songs/tracks on "CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER - Money Talks" are
CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER - Money Talks album cover is a bold, politically charged illustration that encapsulates themes of corruption, greed, and societal collapse. The artwork prominently features a grinning political figure, resembling Ronald Reagan, holding a fistful of cash while standing at a podium draped with a banner that reads "Lie, Cheat, Steal, Lose Again." His gleeful demeanor sharply contrasts with the dystopian chaos surrounding him.
To his left, a cash register overflows with money, from which missiles labeled "Blood Money" emerge, symbolizing war profiteering. Behind him, massive nuclear explosions light up a smoky sky, reinforcing themes of destruction and global unrest. To his right, a woman resembling Margaret Thatcher, wearing a pearl necklace and a button that reads "Jugs Not Drugs," kicks up her leg seductively atop a mountain of cash, portraying the intersection of power, wealth, and entertainment.
In the foreground, a chaotic crowd of diverse individuals—some cheering, others looking shocked—fills the lower section of the cover. A distorted representation of the Statue of Liberty stands among them, wearing a spiked crown while appearing ghostly and defeated. The bottom of the cover features the album title, "Money Talks," written in jagged green lettering, incorporating a skull within the typography, reinforcing the album's aggressive and rebellious tone.
CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER - Money Talks back cover presents a bold yet straightforward design with a sky-blue background. The tracklist is prominently displayed in two columns: Side 1 on the left and Side 2 on the right, with song titles written in bold white uppercase font. The songs on Side 1 include "Money Talks," "Set Your Own Pace," "Could Be Worse," "Wake Up," "Freedom of Expression?" and "Menace to Mankind." Side 2 lists "Too Much, Too Little," "Human Contrast," "Tables Are Turned," "Positively," "All Wrong," and "American Heroes."
The middle of the cover features a band photo of the four members standing outdoors on a cracked and worn asphalt road with a chain-link fence and dry shrubbery behind them. From left to right, the members are: Rob Nicholson (bass and backing vocals), wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and a baseball cap; Scott Peterson (drums), dressed in a black leather jacket with band patches, dark jeans, and sneakers; Bill Crooks (vocals), wearing a black t-shirt with a vest, white pants with black abstract patterns, and black boots; and Les Evans (guitar), with long blond hair, wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers.
Above the photo, in green uppercase font, are the production credits, stating that the album was "Produced by Bill Metoyer and Cryptic Slaughter" and "Engineered by Bill Metoyer." The recording locations are also listed, including Stagg Street Studio (Van Nuys, CA), Preferred Sound (Woodland Hills, CA), Pacific Sound (Chatsworth, CA), and Track Records (Los Angeles, CA). The assistant engineers—Scott Campbell, Kevin Beauchamp, Brian Carlstrom, and Ken Paulakovich—are acknowledged in the same section.
The lower portion of the cover contains a detailed "Special Thanks" section in small white font, giving recognition to friends, family, and various industry figures. In the bottom left corner, a red circular logo for "DEATH Records" is visible. The bottom right contains the Metal Blade Records logo, catalog number RR 9607, and copyright information.
This is the Side 1 record label of CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER - Money Talks, released by Metal Blade Records. The label features a white background with black text, encircled by a black vinyl border. At the top center, the iconic "Blood Dripping Axe" logo is prominently displayed—a medieval-style battle axe with blood dripping from its edge, reinforcing the album's aggressive and uncompromising nature.
Below the logo, the label states "METAL BLADE RECORDS" in bold uppercase letters, followed by the catalog number RR 9607, the format "STEREO," and playback speed "33 rpm." The left side of the label notes the pressing rights organization "STEMRA", indicating it was manufactured in the Netherlands.
The tracklist is printed in black, detailing the six songs on Side 1:
"Money Talks" (3:35), "Set Your Own Pace" (1:21), "Could Be Worse" (3:44), "Wake Up" (2:04), "Freedom of Expression?" (3:18), and "Menace to Mankind" (3:23). Each track is followed by the respective songwriting credits: Evans, Crooks, Peterson, and Nicholson.
At the bottom, production credits acknowledge Bill Metoyer and the band as producers. The publishing rights are attributed to "Bloody Skull Music," administered by Bug Music. The text also includes the copyright notice: © 1987 Metal Blade Records / Roadrunner Prod. b.v. / Death Records.
Surrounding the label in small uppercase red text is a copyright warning, stating: "All rights of the producer and of the owner of the work reproduced reserved. Unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance, and broadcasting of this record prohibited."
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