Every party has to take some sort of respite. A time to survey the aftermath, sober up and return to the responsibilities of real life. That doesn’t mean the orgy of fun and self destruction can’t pick up where it left off eventually, it just means that other pursuits have to be considered at some point.
Despite how Municipal Waste portrays themselves, they seem to understand that concept. Over the last five years, the party stopped for the Waste, but not for its members. Vocalist Tony Foresta and bassist Land Phil spent that time cultivating their crossover juggernaut Iron Reagan, cranking out three full lengths, various splits and EPs, and touring like champions. Ryan Waste produced some solid heavy metal and released a full length with Volture, then formed Bat, which also unchained an EP and full-length’s worth of filthy, old-school speed metal. And drummer Dave Witte made some gonzo tunes with Brain Tentacles, and God knows what else as he seems to cover the throne for 100 bands.
After pursuing other avocations for a spell, Municipal Waste have come back refreshed and ready to inspire drunken mania, lamp shade accessorizing and chandelier swinging. They’ve picked up another conspirator in second guitarist Nick Poulos (Bat, Volture), and offered up Slime and Punishment to the frenzied, pit-stomping, party thrash minions.
Municipal Waste’s return brings much of what you’d expect from the Richmond rippers. There’s their patented slashing, tight-cornered riffs played at extremely high velocities, with the occasional neck wrenching half time breakdown laced in. Somehow Witte is able to hold it all down with impressive precision and creativity. The first two lines of “Enjoy The Night” signal the Waste’s predisposition to fuck with the neighbors all through the night and into the morning. “Tonight I’m gonna get real reckless/tonight we’re gonna party senseless.” Punny song titles like “Shrednecks” and the title track show that they’re still not taking themselves too seriously. Riot inducing gang vocals and Foresta’s commanding screams throughout are guaranteed to put live audiences on the fringe of lunacy.
The only real party foul on Slime and Punishment is that Municipal Waste didn’t take as much advantage of Poulos’ extra six strings as they could’ve. A bulk of the record is lacking in solos and guitar harmonies. A few short solos jump out here and there, but “Under The Waste Command” is really the only track that fully benefits from having two axes operating. Ideally they will play with that a bit more on the next record, but until then, you should still stash the fine china and lock your liquor cabinet.