Thursday 4 October 2012

Metal Duck "Quackcore" demo tape 1987



Metal bands are usually dead serious, what with their cheesy poses, epic perms and monster-themed artwork. Well, I suppose quite a few punk bands could fit the above definition too. So what's not to like about a spoof metal band with songs about ducks?

Metal Duck are probably to early thrash-metal what Hard Skin are to oi music. Formed in 1985 in Cheshire, MD are notorious for their split Lp with the equally silly Lawnmower Deth, but I think their crowning glory - so to speak - is that first demo entitled "Quackcore", recorded in 1987. As we all know, the mid to late 80's saw many punk bands toying more or less successfully with metal. The blend could go very well (Antisect, Concrete Sox, mid-80's English Dogs) or sink in metallic cheesiness, lengthy solos and ridiculous lyrics (late 80's English Dogs, late Onslaught, late Anihilated as those three bands definitely lost it at some point). Despite the lack of information about Metal Duck, I am pretty sure they were punx who enjoyed metal but found the lyrics and the attitude ridiculous and thus decided to have a laugh.  The result is actually highly enjoyable as this demo can attest. It is much more metal-punk than straight-up thrash to be honest, reminiscent of the good metallic punk period of English Dogs, The Fiend, Anihilated, Broken Bones or Onslaught (bar the terrible devil-worshipping obviously), some early crust music (think Apocalypse or Sacrilege) and real metal bands like Metallica or Sodom. There is even a grinding song on the tape with "NDQC". The riffs are effective  and the guitar sound has this dirty yet heavy, vibrating sound that is so loveable. The drumming is simple and the vocals are shouted and sound very punk, actually, as anarchonistic a comment this might be, MD's singer sounds just like Ausgebombt's.



As you can guess from the artwork (a demonic rendering of Daffy Duck) and the songs' titles, the lyrics are pretty silly with songs called "Bomb bay duck" or "The march of Metal Duck to the ponds of hell" but apart from some ridiculous and funny intro, the music on the whole doesn't sound like a joke, not unlike Hard Skin's music doesn't give away the parodic element. If you like proper metal-punk that doesn't take itself seriously, you are bound to love Metal Duck.    



6 comments:

  1. Yeah Right Idea about the band?I was dave(dork) the drummer...Music was serious,Vox daft as ?But on demo the lyrics were?Wh we had toungue in cheek titles NDQC was napalm death quackcore?Why we just sang 1 to 12?Was to keep in time to..Funny and enjoyable days?Shame music has no funny side know?Made to be enjoyed all round the world?B4 days of internet/You tube/Facebook etc...In early 80"s was go to gigs check bands out tape trade around the world with soaped up stamps to use them a few times....Enjoy dave 22/7/13.......

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    1. Thank you for your comment I guess! I can't say I have understood everything though...

      And if it is not clear enough in the review, I actually really enjoy Metal Duck and I usually like - successfully - funny punk rock.

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    2. Hey Dave, great to hear off somebody enjoying the demo but did he pay & am I due royalties???
      Yours in anticipation of a retirement fund,
      Robbo (the artist formerly known as Arse) :)

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    3. This post is turning into a Metal Duck reunion! :)

      I haven't paid but I promise I will get you a pint if we ever meet. I am not sure it will help your retirement fund but at least it could be fun. More seriously, if any of the Metal Duck feels that me posting your demo is not appropriate, let me know and I will take down the link (but leave the review).

      Great vocals by the way. You should give a listen to a mid 00's Portland band called Ausgebombt as the singer has a troublingly similar vocal style to yours.

      Cheers

      Romain

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  2. Think your description is spot on! you had difficulty understanding some of the dorks comments because he is a drummer!!!!enough said!!! p.s I see you like Extinction Of Mankind, I was in them,playing on the first three 7"s and a couple of demos , all the gigs up to mid 94 including the Bremen riot on the Doom/EOM (police bastard) Euro tour!! IN CRUST WE TRUST

    FOZZY XXX

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    1. Thanks for the comment! Yes, his was a bit of an obscure, but fun, comment I suppose!

      I really enjoy EOM indeed, both early and late material. You could say it is a really foundational band for me.

      Cheers

      Romain

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