Melvins + Fantômas — Millennium Monsterwork

For an experimental band as Fantômas, they sure are popular these days. After the cult soundtrack cover album "The Director's Cut" the band toured a lot and gained popularity. This album has one of their most unique live shows on it, the special New Years Millennium show in cooperation with the other 'big' Ipecac band: Melvins.

So for this live show the Melvins and Fantômas formed one big band and played songs from both acts. The soundquality is decent, just a little better than some bootlegs. But the band plays really tight, and of course, there is some improvising. Since this is the first time I hear the Melvins, I can't really comment on their songs. The band plays a couple of them and it sounds good. So I think it's time for me to discover some of their regular releases.

One negative aspect is that the disc lasts only 40 minutes, which is quite short for a live cd. They didn't put the whole concert on it, and I guess the reason is because other songs from the Melvins are released on other labels. So it would be expensive to clear them all. Of course, the songs we do get are good, and are a great presentation what both bands accomplish live.

I do think that "Millennium Monsterwork" is only interesting for the die-hard Melvins and Fantômas fan. Because of that I suggest, if you're still unfamiliar with these bands, that you buy one of their regular albums. It's good, but not outstanding...

Photo by Adam King