Review by Beert
The Prince of the Rodeo has returned. The Apocalypse Dude. The Denim Demon. The Father of Death Punk. Hank von Hell has exploded back into music with the October 2018 release of his album titled Egomania. Hank is most notable as the former frontman for the Norwegian gents known as Turbonegro. After becoming sober in 2010, Hank moved on from Turbonegro to form Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult. They released an album in 2011 called I Declare: Treason. After that, Hank disappeared, never to be seen again...or so the world thought, until Hank returned, full-force, with his debut album Egomania.
“Egomania” starts with a slow-build intro, which became a hallmark of later Turbonegro albums, and then throws you into a volcano of rock ‘n’ roll, complete with tambourine and “ooh-ooh-oohs.” Hank’s vocal delivery is what you would expect from him in every sense. This song is a great easing into the album, and picks up with a familiarity that puts a smile on your face and anticipation of what is yet to come, while Hank pokes fun at his own ego with the title of the song.
“Pretty Decent Exposure” keeps it rolling with pounding, driving drums and the expected double entendre titling of the song. The guitar attacks the ears on your bangin’ head, and fills you full of a good time.
“Blood” was an early single released prior to the album’s release. The song slows the pace a bit with slow, rhythmic drumming as if Hank is stomping through your living room. It’s an anthemic march where you could easily see a parade following Hank in his brightest white Grand Marshall ensemble.
“Dirty Money” blows out of the speakers, following “Blood.” The song has a 1980s hair metal feel, but it is listenable. There are plenty of breaks that provide more guitar moments, which you want in a song like this, but without the wank that was so prevalent in the songs of the 80s. The lyrics are very sing-a-long-y where you would find yourself chanting along at a live show, even though the song has somewhat plateaued. It’s definitely not bad, but it does level out at this point.
“Bum to Bum” is one of the funniest songs on this album. And, as has been Hank’s schtick, overtones of homoeroticism are all over it, without being done in an offending way, as it is more of a campy style. This song served as the first video off the album, and the visual matches the audio for this song. It’s a party wrapped in a big, furry man dressed in white.
“Never Again” follows, and it comes across like a heavy ballad. And rightfully so. At this point Hank does give us a few moments of seriousness as he sings about the person he used to be with his drug addiction. It is a great, reflective song and a side of Hank that isn’t shown too often.
“Bombwalk Chic” fires up with harmonizing guitars within the first few seconds, and the horns should be raised at this point. The song is total rock ‘n’ roll in its simplicity. It presents more of what some bands should strive to achieve. There is a good sense of talent without going full on Zakk Wylde “look at me” posturing.
“Wild Boy Blues” has an odd, yet enjoyable, pop/new wave sense hidden in it. It’s not up front, but it made its presence known to me. Still, there’s enough soloing to pull you out of those thoughts and enjoy Hank and the boys.
“Too High” is fast and wild, and definitely not a cover of a similarly named NoMeansNo song. This could easily be a song that would cause the crowd to erupt at a concert with the stage being full of energy and activity.
“Adios (Where’s My Sombrero?)” is Hank’s send of on the album. Did someone say “Iron Maiden”?
The songs on this record, in my opinion, are reminiscent of the glory days of Turbonegro (Apocalypse Dudes/Scandinavian Leather-era). It’s the same raucous, over-the-top homoerotic, danceable, yet full of rock ‘n’ roll music that I associate with Hank. Listening to this album, and watching the video for the song “Bum to Bum” makes me long for a North American tour to catch a glimpse of one of the funniest frontmen I have witnessed live (Turbonegro, Scandinavian Leather tour). It’s just a fun album all around. A little nasty, a little naughty, “a little country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll,” but full of energy and goofiness without total camp and novelty.
Welcome back Hank, scientology rehab and all.
