Deliverance’s website says the following:
“From the mean streets of L.A. and the early thrash metal scene on the west
coast, Deliverance, fronted by Jimmy P. Brown II, has been one of the most
influential bands of the past two-and-a-half decades helping shape the early
thrash and speed metal scene of the late 80’s and early 90’s.” In 1989 they released their self-titled
debut. The next year brought us WEAPONS
OF OUR WARFARE. The title track was
released as a video to MTV. The band’s
third album WHAT A JOKE dropped in 1991.
The line-up of the band at the time was: Jimmy P. Brown II (vocals,
rhythm guitar, talk box), Mike Grato (bass guitar), Kevin Lee (drums), and
George Ochoa (lead, rhythm, and acoustic guitars).
The album begins with this sarcastic comment:
“Well, the label wants us to do another record, here we go.” ‘Prophet of Idiocy’ is a real thrash metal
treat. It reminds us to ultimately put
our trust in God, not spiritual leaders: “Who is man to formulate/The way God
uses man?/They pervert the Word to indulge in their lusts/You fool, you’re
being lied to/In the name of Christianity/Sixty six books tell it like it
is/Not an act or liturgy.”
Urbandictionary.com defines
pseudo-intellectuals as “people of average intelligence who are enchanted with high
intellectual topics and discussions such as philosophy, socioeconomics, destiny
of humanity, etc. Unlike a genuine
academic, a pseudo-intellectual’s main reason for being interested in these
topics is because it makes him feel intellectually superior to his peers.” ‘Pseudo Intellectual’ is the album’s longest
track at 7:15. Musically it begins
quietly, with soothing guitar work, but soon it really tears it up! These lyrics have a bite to them: “Blind
leading the blind/Professors in our universities/Saying the Bible doesn’t
compare/To scientific proof/I got news for you/The Bible is historic
literature/Has survived the scrutiny/Of the likes of you/Beware/Pseudo
intellectual/You walk in utter darkness/Pseudo intellectual/Professing to be
wise, you’ve become a fool.”
‘Cheeseburger Maker Du’ is so short it’s hardly worth mentioning.
The title track, ‘What a Joke’ is one of
the best Christian metal songs ever. It
features heavy guitar work and lyrically unleashes some fire and brimstone:
“Want to be intellects spew/’There is no God’/Proving themselves fools, liars,
and frauds/Remnant prays this battle against evil/Against those who perceive
they are right/They’ve not stolen, murdered, or destroyed/God must let them
in!/What a joke/God will laugh at your calamity/What a joke/He will mock when
your terror comes/What a joke/Despising knowledge, choosing not to fear/What a
joke/Complacency of fools will destroy.”
‘Chipped Beef’ is, if you can believe it, a recipe read in a monotone
manner, set to a heavy metal beat.
A song from Black Sabbath’s 1971 album
MASTER OF REALITY is next. ‘After
Forever’ has an evangelical message: “Have you ever thought about your soul/Can
it be saved?/Or perhaps you think that when you’re dead/You just stay in your
grave/Is God just a thought within your head/Or is He a part of you?/Is Christ
just a name that you read in a book/When you were in school?.../Open your eyes
just realize that He is the One/The only One who can save you now/From all this
sin and hate.” ‘It’s the Beat’ includes
angry guest vocals by Roger Martinez of Vengeance Rising. The song takes some jabs at critics of
Christian metal: “It’s the beat/They say is satanic, ha, ha, ha/It’s the
beat/That causes the flesh to give in/It’s the beat/You ignorant fool, study the
first eight chapters of Romans…/Why don’t you just tell me what beat did Eve
first sin to/And to which did Adam disobey?”
One could mosh to the next song, ‘A Product of Society’. It urges us to take full responsibility for
our spiritual lives and not conform to the world: “I was born this way, can I
change/Or will I remain a product of society?/Lust and power, insidious greed/A
make up of what I am/I owe society for who I am/A selfish child in the form of
a man…/Society’s sick, the one we’re in/Where doing the wrong is
right/Pollution of the mind, it’s now time/Rise up against the filth/That’s
being fed to you and me.” ‘Happy Star’
is the album’s shortest track, at four seconds!
‘J.P.D.’ is a short instrumental, while the only lyric to the next short
song is “Pray”.
‘Silent Night’ finds Catherine Ochoa on harmony vocals. This version of the Christmas carol quickly
becomes amped up, as if on steroids!
Here are some of the familiar lullaby-like words: “Silent night, holy
night/All is calm, all is bright/Round yon virgin, mother and child/Holy
infant, so tender and mild/Sleep in heavenly peace (2X).” ‘J.I.G.’ has a prophetic message that is
delivered with vigor: “King of Kings, I Am is He/He’s coming back to rule/This
land with swift sword in hand/All the gods of gold and stone/Will all fall
before Him/When they see His eyes of fire/Jesus is God.”
These words from the next song are definitely not Catholic friendly:
“The doctrine of purgatory is bologna/Therefore I will have a purgatory
sandwich with mustard.” ‘Attack’ ends
the original 1991 version of WHAT A JOKE
with a bang. It pointedly reminds us
that we are involved in spiritual warfare daily: “Be ready for attack (2X)/Put
on the whole armor of God/That you might stand the evil that’s to come/Soon you
will grow weary of the fight/Trust God, hold to His hand tight.” The 2011 re-release of the album on Intense
Millenium Records includes one bonus track, a somber sounding song called
‘Strings of Sorrow’. It includes these
words: “Come for me, reach for me/Awake me from my coma/Where are you
Christina, Christina?
Jimmy P. Brown II alternately speaks, shouts, and sings his vocals
on this project. The lyrics are
confrontational, in your face, and certainly not politically correct. Fans of Michael Peace and Steve Taylor will
appreciate this type of Christian message delivery. I’m rating WHAT A JOKE 86%. For more info visit www.deliverancerocks.com and www.roxxproductions.com