In its "Statement of Intent," Swill writes, "Forget about hairspray. Forget about extended guitar solos and virtuosos. Forget about Seattle..." The first two are welcome oversights, and as for the third, think same era, different bands. Elements of early Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails and mid-'90s Ministry and Megadeth surface often on Lessons in Sarcasm, an album filled with monster riffs and speedy industrial drumbeats. Lyrically, Swill is unrepentantly brutal, with the frightening "Beatin' Up a Drunk Guy," and "Hunting Humans," the latest addition to the area's disturbingly large stash of pro-shooting-spree tunes. The group also offers an array of vulgar samples, a la Electric Hellfire Club, to supplement its own harsh sentiments. Although the overall vibe is heavy, songs such as "Barely Alive" and even "Hunting Humans" showcase the band's melodic side with catchy choruses. Swill is not for the faint of heart, but fans of other area heavyweights such as Thrust might find this album to be a tasty metallic meal.
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