I reviewed Dirt Mall’s previous album (“Got the Goat by the Horns”) on Loucifer Speaks a couple of years ago, back when the site looked very different. I remember at the time Dirt Mall’s Johnny Anguish being a bit concerned that Dirt Mall’s style may not appeal to me. Back then, and possibly to a degree now, I tended to lean more towards the extreme end of Metal. While I can’t deny that I love a Death Metal and Black Metal, I’m also fond of Rock, Traditional Metal and… well… pretty much anything with a guitar in it. Ok, almost anything! The fact is that I can end up listening to a playlist that is packed with Obituary one minute, Sebastian Bach the next, Devilish Impressions after that and then topped off with the Rolling Stones. This has nothing whatsoever to do with this review, but – since the site has recently been upgraded and new folks are visiting – I thought I’d tell you a little bit about what makes me tick. So there you have it. If I decide that it rocks, I listen to it.

Anyway, when Johnny Anguish contacted me and asked me to review the band’s new album, “Pacifuego”, I had to say ‘yes’. I’d have been a fool not to. Since I first listened to them, Dirt Mall’s brand of dirty rock ‘n’ roll has always managed to put a smile on my face – without fail. Would I consider myself to be a fan? Hell yes!

As far as this album is concerned, songs like “Pearl”, “What’s Now?”, “You’ve Got The Whole Thing Wrong” and “Calling All Clowns” have become instant favourites… oh, and “Rats”…. The album is littered with intelligent lyrics and rock ‘n’ roll attitude. What more could you possibly ask for?

I think I said that “Got the Goat By the Horns” was great to listen to in the summer, and “Pacifuego” definitely has that summer vibe going on as well. It’s provided some excellent escapism from this miserable-beyond-a-joke winter we’ve been subjected to. Putting on this album has blasted that rain right away.

So, take some advice from your friendly neighbourhood ruler of the underworld – listen to Dirt Mall. It won’t change the world but it’ll make you feel a hell of a lot better.

myspace.com/dirtmall