WHO ARE THEY? A high-concept “crime -fighting supergroup” from L.A. whose masked, black-clad, fedora-topped members go by colourful handles like Red Bat, Blue Bat and Green Bat, although they’re actually current and former members of groups like Nekromantix, The Brains, Rezurex and Stellar Corpses.
WHAT IS THIS? A 20-song debut showcasing their so-called Bat Rock, which is basically a frenzied fusion of horror-punk, psychobilly and surf-rock. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? Stray Cats on speed and injected with bits of Bauhaus, Iggy and The Cramps — which actually sounds a lot less focused than this high-energy offering actually is.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? While getting tattooed and applying way too much eye makeup as you try on capes in your basement bedroom.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Turbocharged, distorted, frantic, explosive, cartoonish, creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky, kitschy.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? It’s hard not to get a kick out of infectious original anthems like We Fight!, Revenge of the Batmask and Graveyard Girl — but monster-smash covers of Tainted Love, Miserlou, The Damned’s Love Song, Danzig’s Mother and even Portugal. The Man’s Feel it Still truly take the proceedings over the top.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK? That 20 songs is way too many punchlines for a one-joke band.
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? About as often as you binge-watch The Munsters or Addams Family.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE A NOVELTY, WHAT KIND OF NOVELTY WOULD IT BE? A rubber bat.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL? Just let it fly on by.
