Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Those who know their Christian music history will be aware that Lust Control are, or were, a Christian thrash punk band who were true pioneers in bringing in such subjects as sexual purity and sin, masturbation and pornography to the startled Christian public. Musically, they were a bit like The Ramones or The Dead Milkmen. Although formed as something of a joke by the editor of HM Magazine, Doug Van Pelt, their cassettes and later CDs always displayed some tight, aggressive playing. In 1994, they released 'Feminazi', and now this two-part project has been given a re-issue by Roxx Records. Musically (part one) this is a punk album, with the half-rapped, half-sung vocal, shouted backing vocals and solid guitar/bass/drums you'd expect from the genre. Some of it's very good: the riffing on "Temptation" and the chorus on "Make Money And Die" for example. Lyrically they're solidly faith-based, emphasising the need to live in a continuing experience of God's grace. This comes across strongest in the live tracks which contain shouted asides and especially the sermons (yes, I kid you not - the honesty in these is actually quite refreshing). The title track and "I Blew Up The Clinic Real Good" (a Steve Taylor cover) are strong political satire. Part two is more spoken and effected (such as the sermons) which sits well lyrically and shows how well Lust Control came across live. It has to be said that the band are an acquired taste, but their courage in upsetting the polite evangelical apple cart makes them deserving of this re-issue.

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