Here's a pairing that goes out to Truce guitarist Steve Busch... cheers and happy birthday buddy!! Today I'm pairing the 1985 debut album by Storm Troopers of Death (S.O.D.), "Speak English Or Die" and a Sleigh'r Dark Doüble Alt Ale from Ninkasi Brewing Company out of Eugene, Oregon.
"Speak English Or Die" is the debut album by the crossover thrash band S.O.D. and was released December 1985, deep in the Reagan-era conservative yuppie 1980s. Upon the completion of Anthrax's "Spreading The Disease," Anthrax guitarist Ian Scott and drummer Charlie Benante got together with former Anthrax bassist Dan Lilker to create a punk/thrash band designed to let off steam and explore their more humorous side. They included Anthrax roadie, Billy Milano on vocals. With lyrics intentionally and sarcastically racist and misogynist, the band was rather controversial and garnered criticism from both conservative and liberal groups. Of the content, Lilker stated, "The lyrics were never intended to be serious, just to piss people off." Recorded in only 3 days, "Speak English Or Die" is a 21-song album of high-octane fury and biting sarcasm. Songs like the title track, "March of the S.O.D.," "Kill Yourself," "Pre-Menstrual Princess Blues," "Pussy Whipped," "Fuck the Middle East," and "Douche Crew" are aggressive, fast, funny, and beautifully un-P.C., spitting in the face of conventional record producing. You don't hear music much like this anymore. I don't even think Ian Scott or Benante would dare produce something this controversial and raw anymore. Oh well... at least we have this little beauty to sustain our thrashin' appetites!
How 'bout a little Christmas in June? Sleigh'r Dark Doüble Alt Ale from Ninkasi Brewing Company is a richly punchy winter season Altbier (a German style brown ale.) Oh, and a shout out to my buddy Kevin Kirk who gave me this lovely brew! Thanks my friend!! The Sleigh'r pours a deep mahogany with a 1-finger, frothy, and tan head with spider web lacing that is nicely displayed and sustained. The aroma is dark toasted bread, pumpernickel or maybe marble rye. There are notes of malty biscuit, a hint of cocoa, sweet toffee, and hop forward bitterness. There are also notes of raisin and bourbon and vanilla. Like the nose, the flavors are complex, multi-layered and delicious... somewhat smoky, there are notes of toasted malt, hearty grain, and bittersweet dark chocolate. Opposite of the flavor and bitterness, the mouthfeel is smooth and creamy. However, there is a sharpness in the finish. With its more aggressive hop bite and higher ABV (7.2%), it is a perfect brew for the crossover fury of S.O.D.'s "Speak English Or Die"!
Raise your fist and raise your beer!! Cheers rivet-heads!!
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