For this seductive, romantic, garage rock fanatic, listening to King Tuff’s epic return album “Black Moon Spell” was like experiencing the joyride, Saturday night date of my dreams. Ever since I saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show, I have had an obsession with Meat Loaf’s character and all the potential he had as a crazy, passionate, romantic partner. Basically, I wanted to be the Betty to the badass, biker, boyfriend persona that King Tuff portrays in this album.
Not to say that Meat Loaf wasn’t any trouble. Just like his disruptive motorcycle entrance in the movie, King Tuff begins his album with some intense, garage rock anthems, like “Black Moon Spell” and “Rainbow’s Run”, that consist of epic drum lines and heavy guitar distortion. This coupled with his raunchy voice singing romantic incantations; allow Kyle Thomas to challenge Seth Bogart’s seductive “bad boy” flirt appeals — a characteristic seen on both of the artist’s music. Coincidentally, Kyle Thomas toured with Hunx & His Punx around 2010 while on a different project with “King Tuff” on the backburner.
After this fun and seductive half of the album, King Tuff introduces the second half with “Magic Mirror.” This song serves as a sort of “juxtaposition interlude.” Following the goofy but cute “I Love You Ugly,” “Magic Mirror,” with its spooky, vampire lair guitar intro creates a contrast. It suddenly reminds you how intense and “haunted house” King Tuff can get when he mixes blasting drums with his low-tone singing. The song and its location create a perfect introduction to what I like to call “the dark side” of the album.
Back to my Meat Loaf reference, it is this half of the album that solidifies the persona behind King Tuff. “Madness” and “Demon From Hell” are fun, wavy-finger dancing tunes with catchy rhythms. While you’re hopping around, however, you miss the presentation of the “King Tuff” pathos being described by his lyrics. Before you even know it, you’re dancing with a Demon.
But it is so much fun! Pretending that I am, in fact, Betty on a date with Meat Loaf, “Black Holes in Stereo” would be the point of the date that to an audience, what is happening seems like definite bad signs. But then, you look at my face and I can’t stop smiling. I don’t care about the black holes. All I want to do is “go, go, go, go!”
Then, with an intro that sounds like it came off Crowley from Good Omen’s car radio, the King of romantic garage rock comes back with “Staircase of Diamonds.” The echo-ed guitar strums and background vocals make this song mimic the atmosphere behind the “Across The Universe” Musical soundtrack—a stark and beautiful portrayal of love.
Finally, it’s “Eddie’s Song.” And yes, I connected this to Meat Loaf. There is a lot you can say about this particular track. In my narrative, the King Tuff persona had Eddie as a mentor and this song is his homage to Eddie’s untimely death. Whatever the intended concept might be, King Tuff manages to end this roller coaster ride with one more fun, over three minute tune, calling the curtains on this garage rock extravaganza show on a high note.
Gabriel Ferri / Certified Punk Fairy / KXSU Head Writer and DJ
Rad! Loved this.