Embedded Files
THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION “Mondo Tomorrow”
THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION “Mondo Tomorrow”
By Mercyful Mike
Every now and then, you are lucky enough to stumble across something that very few others have, and it genuinely feels as though you are first on the scene. That’s how I felt when first discovering THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION. I can’t really remember the details on how I found them, but I clearly remember being completely blown away. “Mano A Satano” was uniquely raw, like being held at knife-point to join the cult (which I gladly did!). This was back in 2012, and I’m happy to say I’ve been along for the ever-evolving ride ever since. Reviewing these Aussies’ latest, and 7th full length album, has been nothing short of an honor.
“The flesh, weak and impermanent, yielded to it’s synthetic progeny…“ The first passage of the spoken word intro to lead/title track “Mondo Tomorrow” wastes no time pulling the listener down the TNPF rabbit hole, curated by her excellency, Screaming Loz Sutch (aka:The Imperial Priestess). Through the years, the FEDERATION has never once painted themselves into a corner, unafraid to do whatever the f**k they want. This track only solidifies that mentality, throwing in appreciation of 60’s Doo-Wop amid the heavy chaos:
“My mondo tomorrow
Traverse the sorrow
Singing na na na na na na”
THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION riff machine has never faltered, and the “Dr. Love” inspired riffage of “The Grip Of Death” is a prime example. But just as you snuggle into the headbang zone, in typical TNPF fashion, things take a quick left turn into a weird-out bridge packed with sci-fi goodness the likes of a Svengoolie creature feature (IYKYK). Did I mention the Hammond section at the 2:40 mark? Genius!!!
“And The Bones Decay” continues the sonic assault with possibly the most convincing vocal performance on the album, not to say the others are anything less than brilliant. Commanding, hypnotizing, and mesmerizing, The Imperial Priestess can go from unhinged madness to sirenesque seduction in the blink of an eye. This is a trait she has carried across the band’s entire discography, and its beauty has remained solidly intact to this very day.
Jumping ahead a bit, “Cybernetic Times” stirs in a bit more of the aforementioned sci-fi vibe, with spacey keyboard and vocal effects drenching splendid guitar solos, especially near the song’s conclusion. It’s the placement of songs like this that keeps the listener on their toes and non-complacent. TNPF are masters of this technique.
Closer “The Barbarian” is a fantastic long run of fuzzy leads, psychedelic vocals, big choruses, and fist pumping riffs, complete with a reprise of the spoken word mania that opens the album, bringing things full circle. A tried and true coup de grace if there ever was one.
There is a bit of an underlying theme running throughout this album, however I am not about to toss any opinions on it into the ether. Why ruin the fun for YOU? Like every other THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION album, there is a lot to unpack with “Mondo Tomorrow”, but that’s the pure joy and excitement of a new album from this Australian powerhouse.
THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION is an institution in and of itself. There is no other group of musicians doing what these Aussies do. Like a greasy, MOTÖRHEAD obsessed biker gang, to the flash of QUEEN joined by JUDAS PRIEST, TNPF can do it all, and they do it extremely well. So go light another black candle on the altar of THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION. “Mondo Tomorrow” is yet another masterpiece.
10/10
Report abuse