Blast from the past. This was one of most important albums for me as late teenager. It represented something totally new and different. It was the gateway to more complicated and alternative music. Listening to this again me feelings are mixed. Sometimes it eternal and classic -- more often than I expected -- sometimes very 1985 (guitar sound?). Still, this album gives me goosebumps. It actually still floats like a butterfly and stings like manta ray. Thank you Jim Thirwell.
I'm a massive fan of this album and discovered it on the internet as a teenager in the 2010's. I've always wondered how people initially came across this album in the 80's. Did you just stumble on it in a record shop and pick it up? Was there the odd radio station playing music like this?
i was drawn to this stuff as a teen and didn't really know why, seemed very important. i didn't realise at the time. forgotten CPTSD childhood shit. true 'dark night of the soul' music but full of life and defiance. Thirwell knows. Very theatrical Brechtian vibes to his stuff and always some humour in there. If you have been face to face with the horrors, then this music is nothing but positive, but regular civilians will get scared by it and think it's "too dark" (see also Flipper's first album).
Have you played a game called Disco Elysium? It doesn't directly hit the C of the PTSD but it's a thing that resonates with the world that JG conjures for me, I've just come for Suspect but your comment reminded me of Half Light.
Just some trivias here that I'd like to share with you about this sonic monster that year after year never ceases to amaze and terrify me: "Nail" can be possibly seen as the first output of Thirlwell after his exposition to America and NYC in the 80's, during the legendary three-nights tour of the Immaculate Consumptive with Lydia Lunch, Nick Cave and Marc Almond. Been located in London for almost four years and fallen disillusioned with the city that gave the start to the punk revolution, Thirlwell found himself comfortable with the chaos and the idea to be "sucked into it" of the american city. However, the album was going to be his last project recorded in London. The idea behind it was to create what would be "a travelogue and guided tour" through the concept of oppression. Oppression as seen as a kind of personalised depression that one imposes upon oneself ("The throne of agony"), or as a weapon used against a victim (the killing spree depicted in "Pigswill" or the Manson's murders in "DI-1-9026), and finally the oppression that can be imposed through a governamental restricion (and that is the case of the cynical and unpleasant portrait of the life in a concentration camp of "Enter the exterminator"). All leading to the final climax, the mantra of "Anything" that resonates as a liberation march or as a survival manifesto: "I can do any goddamn thing I want". The wagnerian instrumentals interposed between the narration were presented by the author as the "foetal expression of heaven", as processed through a Disney vision, that can give the listener the idea of an oasis amidst the chaos and the horror. At the time Thirlwell was so satisfied with the product that pointed at it as the best representation of himself and maybe that was the reason for him to embark in the first properly Foetus tour (you can find here on UA-cam some videos of it, some really rough performances with the man himself dancing and screaming all alone against the musical backdrop blasted in full volume).
@@youtubeuserdan4017 the man himself stated it was a chronicle of his time in Los Angeles in late '83, a massive depressive experience spent pacing back and forth in his apartment, watching MTV and writing lyrics in a sort of ipnotic state. "Purgatory disguised as a room with a view": I guess it summarizes that in the best way possibile!
@@youtubeuserdan4017 The song is comparable to Sick man in the build up and progressively intensifying mood. Both are last tracks on A-sides! I think we're dealing with a reference, but I can't be sure 🙂
this tune really evokes memories of that time...1985. I was there. I remember hearing this song and thinking of armies marching thru the woods until HE opens his mouth. I saw a live show back then. Really cool. With Westberg on guitar.
Man I can't believe I just discovered this album it's epic kinda makes me wonder if these guys had a big influence on Mr. Bungle. I would love to find this on vinyl record
Same thing I used to buy albums & took the risk cuz they were like $5 & if it wasn't good well I just didn't listen.the days of discovery & experimenting with noise💥👍
Truly the score music and back music for my late teens. This was constantly in my Sony walkman and mind when it wasn't Eurythmics. Foetus shaped my mind.
I Ilike your description, Sir! Foetus can do any godamn thing he wants! I was 17 when this came out in 1985. I still think it's in a league of its own.
I hear lots of NIN in here, maybe some Marylin Manson, and some of it sounds like traces of Rob Zombie/White Zombie as well. This album cover even looks like a cover from the 90s. Almost nothing about this seems like it's from 1985!
Mid- to late-80s stuff in this vein was much more adventurous and experimental than the relatively mainstream and commercial “industrial” rock and metal of the 90s.
Dude! The lyrics themes in this record predate NIN's Downward Spiral and they are so similar it's impossible not to think that Trent Reznor listened to this and was inspired by this... Talking about "pigs", authorities, saying "nothing can stop me now"... Now that I've listened to this I can't take Reznor's album as seriously.
Yes, when Pretty Hate Machine came out it sounded like wannabe Foetus to me, confirmed when Jim Thirlwell later did several remixes for him. I liked Head Like A Hole and some of the later stuff. There was another wannabe Foetus who was worse, released albums under the name Pig I think - Simon something?
@BossHossGT500 I'd say that Pig's debut album titled Poke In the Eye With A Sharp Stick, as well as his second album Praise the Lard both sound very Foetus influenced.
Do you think music is supposed to come from nowhere? It’s all influenced from somewhere, no matter how unique it may seem at first. And that’s not a bad thing! It’s great that it’s always evolving! I get not enjoying it, but writing it off as a rip off is a bit far fetched
Το άκουσα πρώτη φορά όταν πρωτοβγήκε. Ημουν 20 ετών τότε. Ακόμη θυμάμαι απέξω ολους τους στίχους του the throne of agony. Jim κάποτε μας "σημάδεψες"! Ευχαριστούμε
as much as i love this PLEASE BUY THE VINYL. JAMES DESERVES YOUR MONEY. i own it on vinyl that he personally sent me. im only on youtube so i dont have to bust out the vinyl lol. foetus is AMAZING. give him your money. he earned it... for what lydia did to him alone he fucking earned it. pay him.
My God what have we become. From kids who searched out music that hit us like a hammer on the head. The most important thing was to get high and hang with people who understood our deeper sense of reality. We were the outsiders. If you didn’t understand our way of life. Well piss off. You do you. We gunna do us. We didn’t go on rants about what you should believe. How my rights are being destroyed. WE DIDN’T FIGHT TO FIT IN. “WE WERE IN”. We didn’t care. What feels like a life time later. I’m shocked at people running around trying to fit in, or force you in.
I agree Ola Janson,, damned good music! and today likely to get cancelled. Jag växte upp med det här i mina hörlurar,, detta var anledningen att jag INTE mördade människor. Lyssnade å kände en koppling,,, å blev inte NORMAN BATES.
Cet album est un mélange de captain beefheart et de Alice cooper en version industriel. Industriel mais restant très rock. Un genre de comédie musicale déjantée, original et très bon.
"proto-industrial" Weird term to apply here, considering that 20 Jazz Funk Greats came out 6 years earlier. But yes, I do agree that it's a great and creative album.
I first heard this album when it came out. My brother had brought it home from the record store and, intrigued by the cover, my 12 year old self put it on the record player next to my bed. It took me listening to it three or four times before it all started to make sense. That was thirty-seven years ago. Without this album, I probably would not have made it through all the bullshit life has thrown at me. I certainly wouldn't have made it through with as broad a smile on my face. I HIGHLY encourage you to listen to it a few more times.
This album has a Sonic SATAM vibe or what would happen if DIC made an adult cartoon, I can even picture Dr. Klaw or Robotnik singing these songs and heck even overture to pigdom come and the mid section of viva sounds like Robotnik 's theme or the music that plays during bits whenever you see robotropolis but I swear the composer was influenced by this.
It seems like someone with this kind of talent could be making a lot more money playing to trends than doing "symphonic and soundtrack crap". Besides, ask someone if they're aware of Foetus, and if they're into older industrial in general they'll more than likely have an idea, this album in particular. Manorexia though? LOL You do put it nicely, though. Composing soundtracks likely is a good enough way to make money so he can continue making whatever he pleases. There's talks of another Foetus album come 2025...
There's no such thing as "80s reverb" reverb is just reverb. There's either too much or there's too little. It's a fine thing to balance and usually down to the preference of the producer. We can't all be Phil Spector or George Martin. Basically
As far as I love this album, I have to agree on the EQ and that the overall sound quality is pretty low, but on the other side it gives the album a very low fidelty effect that is very fitting, let's not forget that this is a '85 album. Also, I'm pretty sure that Thirlwell used this production choice on purpose, since it remained for pretty much all his Foetus discography.
Not an ad popping up right after he says NO COMMERCIAL BREAKS 😂
Happened to me too lol
I love how this guys album covers either look like tool boxes, communist/fascist propaganda posters and 50’s model aircraft kits
One of the greatest albums ever
Blast from the past. This was one of most important albums for me as late teenager. It represented something totally new and different. It was the gateway to more complicated and alternative music. Listening to this again me feelings are mixed. Sometimes it eternal and classic -- more often than I expected -- sometimes very 1985 (guitar sound?). Still, this album gives me goosebumps. It actually still floats like a butterfly and stings like manta ray. Thank you Jim Thirwell.
What's the problem about 1985 guitar sound, dude?
No offence, but it was on purpose.
I'm a massive fan of this album and discovered it on the internet as a teenager in the 2010's. I've always wondered how people initially came across this album in the 80's. Did you just stumble on it in a record shop and pick it up? Was there the odd radio station playing music like this?
@@fink7968 punk scene, his other projects with other people, Wiseblood, Lydia Lunch, etc.
Interesting I don’t think I’ve seen a yt thread where every comment was edited..
Oh well just a random thought
i was drawn to this stuff as a teen and didn't really know why, seemed very important. i didn't realise at the time. forgotten CPTSD childhood shit. true 'dark night of the soul' music but full of life and defiance. Thirwell knows. Very theatrical Brechtian vibes to his stuff and always some humour in there. If you have been face to face with the horrors, then this music is nothing but positive, but regular civilians will get scared by it and think it's "too dark" (see also Flipper's first album).
Have you played a game called Disco Elysium? It doesn't directly hit the C of the PTSD but it's a thing that resonates with the world that JG conjures for me, I've just come for Suspect but your comment reminded me of Half Light.
Just some trivias here that I'd like to share with you about this sonic monster that year after year never ceases to amaze and terrify me:
"Nail" can be possibly seen as the first output of Thirlwell after his exposition to America and NYC in the 80's, during the legendary three-nights tour of the Immaculate Consumptive with Lydia Lunch, Nick Cave and Marc Almond. Been located in London for almost four years and fallen disillusioned with the city that gave the start to the punk revolution, Thirlwell found himself comfortable with the chaos and the idea to be "sucked into it" of the american city. However, the album was going to be his last project recorded in London.
The idea behind it was to create what would be "a travelogue and guided tour" through the concept of oppression. Oppression as seen as a kind of personalised depression that one imposes upon oneself ("The throne of agony"), or as a weapon used against a victim (the killing spree depicted in "Pigswill" or the Manson's murders in "DI-1-9026), and finally the oppression that can be imposed through a governamental restricion (and that is the case of the cynical and unpleasant portrait of the life in a concentration camp of "Enter the exterminator"). All leading to the final climax, the mantra of "Anything" that resonates as a liberation march or as a survival manifesto: "I can do any goddamn thing I want". The wagnerian instrumentals interposed between the narration were presented by the author as the "foetal expression of heaven", as processed through a Disney vision, that can give the listener the idea of an oasis amidst the chaos and the horror.
At the time Thirlwell was so satisfied with the product that pointed at it as the best representation of himself and maybe that was the reason for him to embark in the first properly Foetus tour (you can find here on UA-cam some videos of it, some really rough performances with the man himself dancing and screaming all alone against the musical backdrop blasted in full volume).
What about Descent Into The Inferno?
@@youtubeuserdan4017 the man himself stated it was a chronicle of his time in Los Angeles in late '83, a massive depressive experience spent pacing back and forth in his apartment, watching MTV and writing lyrics in a sort of ipnotic state. "Purgatory disguised as a room with a view": I guess it summarizes that in the best way possibile!
@@francescozucchetti9519 The song was initially called Descent into LA, sort of a working title.
@@youtubeuserdan4017 The song is comparable to Sick man in the build up and progressively intensifying mood. Both are last tracks on A-sides! I think we're dealing with a reference, but I can't be sure 🙂
@@CarinaPrimaBallerina Exactly my thoughts! Descent Into The Inferno sounds like it developed directly from Sick Man.
LOL I just heard, "...I'm the one who gave the sandwich to Mama Cass..."
love that line too 😂
So, did Trent Reznor steal half his early sound from this guy?
I believe he did.
no, all of it
No i think he like this music. This songs was made before his songs.
That's really funny but probably true. I have this on vinyl an got it in the 80ies, Thank you putting this out for everyone to hear.
No. That’s an oversimplification of 2 very distinct sounds
How was this made in 1985
this tune really evokes memories of that time...1985. I was there. I remember hearing this song and thinking of armies marching thru the woods until HE opens his mouth. I saw a live show back then. Really cool. With Westberg on guitar.
Man I can't believe I just discovered this album it's epic kinda makes me wonder if these guys had a big influence on Mr. Bungle. I would love to find this on vinyl record
It's 1 dude
I think this is the greatest album I've ever heard in the last 30+ minutes
Bought this album when I was 16 just because the cover looked cool. Turned out to be one of my favorites.
Same thing I used to buy albums & took the risk cuz they were like $5 & if it wasn't good well I just didn't listen.the days of discovery & experimenting with noise💥👍
A dear friend of mine bought 'Gash' for the exact same reason. That was our gateway into JG Thirlwell's music 🙂
Nah, Trent really was just into Jim's pen15
Well there's my late teenage years rekindled, still stirs the same feelings. A forgotten gem of an album, I still have my copy I bought back in 1985.
Un de los mejores álbumes que escuche en mi maldita vida locooooo!!!!!!! ES PERFECTO.
Truly the score music and back music for my late teens.
This was constantly in my Sony walkman and mind when it wasn't Eurythmics.
Foetus shaped my mind.
It formed my early 20's haha---it was exactly what I desired---it was my 'comfort album for crying out loud!
This stuff plays in during elevator rides in hell
Sometimes he sounds like Weird Al's "rock" voice. 😄
This really reminds me of Mr Bungle. I wonder if Mike Patton got hos sound from this
This is his legendary magnum opus.
J.G. Thirlwell's Sgt. Pepper.........for Serial Killers. 😈
I Ilike your description, Sir! Foetus can do any godamn thing he wants! I was 17 when this came out in 1985. I still think it's in a league of its own.
Quickly becoming one of my favourite albums, really hits a spot that a lot of albums don't. Fun nihilism.
Seen foetus once in London. I'll meet you in Poland was the highlight for me. Peace.
I hear lots of NIN in here, maybe some Marylin Manson, and some of it sounds like traces of Rob Zombie/White Zombie as well.
This album cover even looks like a cover from the 90s. Almost nothing about this seems like it's from 1985!
Mid- to late-80s stuff in this vein was much more adventurous and experimental than the relatively mainstream and commercial “industrial” rock and metal of the 90s.
This album is AMAZING!
Thank you for uploading this
Thirlwell is genius
One of the best ever Albums Ive heard john peel play..Brilliant
This album keeps getting better
Dude! The lyrics themes in this record predate NIN's Downward Spiral and they are so similar it's impossible not to think that Trent Reznor listened to this and was inspired by this... Talking about "pigs", authorities, saying "nothing can stop me now"... Now that I've listened to this I can't take Reznor's album as seriously.
That wouldn't be surprising, Trent ripped off a lot of ideas, and outright plagiarized a lot of music over the years.
Yes, when Pretty Hate Machine came out it sounded like wannabe Foetus to me, confirmed when Jim Thirlwell later did several remixes for him. I liked Head Like A Hole and some of the later stuff. There was another wannabe Foetus who was worse, released albums under the name Pig I think - Simon something?
@BossHossGT500 I'd say that Pig's debut album titled Poke In the Eye With A Sharp Stick, as well as his second album Praise the Lard both sound very Foetus influenced.
Do you think music is supposed to come from nowhere? It’s all influenced from somewhere, no matter how unique it may seem at first. And that’s not a bad thing! It’s great that it’s always evolving! I get not enjoying it, but writing it off as a rip off is a bit far fetched
I worship this
Το άκουσα πρώτη φορά όταν πρωτοβγήκε. Ημουν 20 ετών τότε. Ακόμη θυμάμαι απέξω ολους τους στίχους του the throne of agony. Jim κάποτε μας "σημάδεψες"! Ευχαριστούμε
"It was the worst of times it was the best of times " in that order. Terrible era but the music rocked 🎊🎊🎊
as much as i love this PLEASE BUY THE VINYL. JAMES DESERVES YOUR MONEY. i own it on vinyl that he personally sent me. im only on youtube so i dont have to bust out the vinyl lol. foetus is AMAZING. give him your money. he earned it... for what lydia did to him alone he fucking earned it. pay him.
Still blows my mind, this album
初めて買ったレコード。中学生だった。今も持っている。でも再生する機械(機会)がない。宝物。
My God what have we become. From kids who searched out music that hit us like a hammer on the head. The most important thing was to get high and hang with people who understood our deeper sense of reality. We were the outsiders. If you didn’t understand our way of life. Well piss off. You do you. We gunna do us. We didn’t go on rants about what you should believe. How my rights are being destroyed. WE DIDN’T FIGHT TO FIT IN. “WE WERE IN”. We didn’t care. What feels like a life time later. I’m shocked at people running around trying to fit in, or force you in.
pure awesomeness still today, sheer genius
This album
has at times, an Oingo Boingo/ Danny Elfman feel to me.
DI-1-9026 This song is about the Manson murders
Most funny lyrics ever
Foetus is my best Agaptogen ever.
Pulled this Cd from the racks in 1985. It was a blast then. heart felt hokey industrial.
Pre Mr Bungle
A masterpiece.
Possibly the best rock album ever made
Punk Rock Album
@@guyfish2637 Classical Album
Possibly the greatest album ever x
Top 10 desert island keeper, no doubts. This is the right stuff.
Tarantino needs to see this album
Hats off, gentlemen! A genius!
Ok, Monsieur Grand
Jim Thirlwell.
uno dei dischi preferiti da pierone
Vero
I agree Ola Janson,, damned good music! and today likely to get cancelled.
Jag växte upp med det här i mina hörlurar,, detta var anledningen att jag INTE mördade människor.
Lyssnade å kände en koppling,,, å blev inte NORMAN BATES.
I'm so glad I found this album
i fucking love this album holy shit, total chaotic maniac energy here, and inspired most of the bands i love these days
This auto queued up after a NAILS album on my algorithm
awesome
the throne of agony.. mission imposible riff was stolen from there?
This was big in the DC punk / goth club scene in the 80's and early 90's. Good memories
amazing amazing amazing amazing masterpiece!!!
With advertisements now.
Yen herevi and we just did all the cool animals 😎
Cet album est un mélange de captain beefheart et de Alice cooper en version industriel. Industriel mais restant très rock. Un genre de comédie musicale déjantée, original et très bon.
Alternative punk metal ! Iheard that he played most of the instruments on this album himself , does anyone know if this is true?
He wrote, arranged, played, produced everything by himself
@@modifiedcontent That's very cool. Thanks
RIP Steve
נכוןniceguy
are these my midis
[handicapped-parking-sign.jpg]
Holy shit! I had no idea Roachdog Jr. liked Foetus.
@@EdBern Really?
Here from Aron Ra - how had I never heard this amazing mid-80's experimental, jazz, punk, rap, proto-industrial goodness?
"proto-industrial"
Weird term to apply here, considering that 20 Jazz Funk Greats came out 6 years earlier.
But yes, I do agree that it's a great and creative album.
A fellow apistevist I see. Aron brought me here too.
decent
Aspen dental brings you.....Foetus! Love it and.....hate it!
So, this is the "IDM" of the '80s.
No, this is industrial
@@sajid7363 someone didn't notice the quotation marks
Too avant-garde for my taste but solid work
I first heard this album when it came out. My brother had brought it home from the record store and, intrigued by the cover, my 12 year old self put it on the record player next to my bed. It took me listening to it three or four times before it all started to make sense. That was thirty-seven years ago. Without this album, I probably would not have made it through all the bullshit life has thrown at me. I certainly wouldn't have made it through with as broad a smile on my face. I HIGHLY encourage you to listen to it a few more times.
This album has a Sonic SATAM vibe or what would happen if DIC made an adult cartoon, I can even picture Dr. Klaw or Robotnik singing these songs and heck even overture to pigdom come and the mid section of viva sounds like Robotnik 's theme or the music that plays during bits whenever you see robotropolis but I swear the composer was influenced by this.
He went on to do music for Venture Bros so it makes sense!
I don't get it, it's just noise
"no dude, you don't get it, its supposed to sound like shit" :)
Everything is noise
It is beautiful noise
@@OverloadArcade Not even something you'd say in defense of Foetus, it's not supposed to sound like shit your ears are just broken
it's almost like music is noise
What a piece of art, now he does the symphonic and soundtrack crap, money rules right T.G ?
It seems like someone with this kind of talent could be making a lot more money playing to trends than doing "symphonic and soundtrack crap". Besides, ask someone if they're aware of Foetus, and if they're into older industrial in general they'll more than likely have an idea, this album in particular. Manorexia though? LOL
You do put it nicely, though. Composing soundtracks likely is a good enough way to make money so he can continue making whatever he pleases. There's talks of another Foetus album come 2025...
you dint understand the side cut, guess someone else is limited aswell ;-)
But i help you: Throbbing Gristle.
an interesting album buried underneath an awful EQ job and 80's reverb, shame
shut up
There's no such thing as "80s reverb" reverb is just reverb. There's either too much or there's too little. It's a fine thing to balance and usually down to the preference of the producer. We can't all be Phil Spector or George Martin. Basically
Dimitri Godhead Your response is so mid early 2000s.
THE Funky NinjaMaster of Peace lol
As far as I love this album, I have to agree on the EQ and that the overall sound quality is pretty low, but on the other side it gives the album a very low fidelty effect that is very fitting, let's not forget that this is a '85 album.
Also, I'm pretty sure that Thirlwell used this production choice on purpose, since it remained for pretty much all his Foetus discography.
Best forever. I can do any goddamn thing I want!
Viva! Yes you certainly can.
Vocals remind me of Dave Mustaine, the music reminds me of Oingo Boingo.
Bella scoperta!