Cripple Bastards
Blackmails and Assholism
Obscene
Just shy of perfecto!
Folks, this is how it’s done. Blackmails and Assholism offers not only a new curse word, but is also comprised of nearly six hours of killer entertainment. First up is a four-and-a-half hour documentary tracing the history of this Italian grind band from their beginnings in 1988 to present day; it’s complete with hundreds of photos, show flyers/posters, show/tour footage, interviews with just about everyone who has been part of Cripple Bastards (including various fill-in members) and videos of their first rehearsals in an abandoned mill in the town of Asti. The documentary is the dictionary definition of thorough, detailed and exhaustive as every nook and cranny of CB’s history is explored and uncovered from early motivations, tour experiences, philosophies, controversies (including the whole to-do over the Almost Human cover photo), how they and the music have changed over the years and the role they’ve played in calling out scene bullshit while nurturing the touring circuit via a squat/show space in the town of Dordoni. Everything is edited professionally and the quality of the bootlegs has been cleaned up remarkably. The only real downside is the feeling that you’re missing something in the sometimes clumsy translation and subtitles. This part of the double DVD absolutely fucking rules and would be worth shelling out for in and of itself, but there’s more. Much more.
Next is 45 minutes of footage of the band’s 2002 U.S. east coast tour, including much onstage (or floor, depending on the venue) and behind the scenes tomfoolery of crusty punks losing their minds, weed huffing and political correctness gone awry at New York’s ABC No Rio, where the band not only had their show canceled, but were refused entry into the venue for the controversy involving Almost Human. It’s hilarious to watch the final footage, with “Dickheads” superimposed on the faces of ABC’s staff as they argue with the band out on Rivington St. After that, there’s 35 minutes following the band around the west coast/Mexico in 2003. Rounding out this beast is a full set from 2003’s Obscene Extreme Fest in the Czech Republic. Actually, there’s also a killer booklet included with photos and quotes from sources accusing the band of rampant “assholism,” when in reality, CB are simply a hard-working grind/metal band who provoke while remaining true to their ethics, values and love of the music. —Kevin Stewart-Panko
