Album Review: Death Before Suckass by The Four Horsemen
If you’re a fan of raw, unfiltered hard rock with a bluesy kick, then Death Before Suckass by The Four Horsemen is your kind of ride. Released in 2011 and self-dropped under their own label, this album feels like that rebellious friend who shows up uninvited but ends up being the life of the party. It’s gritty, it’s loud, and it doesn’t apologize for any of it.
Let’s start with “Can’t Get Next To You.” This track grabs you by the collar right outta the gate. Frank C. Starr’s vocals are as commanding as ever—like he’s telling you a story over whisky shots at some dive bar. The rhythm section, courtesy of Ben Pape on bass and Ken "Dimwit" Montgomery on drums, lays down a groove so tight it could hold together a leaky boat. What sticks with me about this song? That relentless energy—it just doesn’t quit. You can almost picture the band sweating it out onstage, feeding off each other’s vibes.
Then there’s “Rockin’ Is My Business,” which might as well be the anthem for anyone who lives and breaths rock ‘n roll. Dave Lizmi tears it up on lead guitar here, throwing down riffs sharp enough to cut glass. Haggis keeps things grounded on rhythm guitar while Starr belts out lyrics that feel more like a mission statement than just words. Honestly, this one gets stuck in my head for days. Every time I hear it, I wanna grab an air guitar and pretend I’m part of the band (even though I’d probably trip over the mic stand).
The production isn’t all polished perfection, and that’s what makes it work. Mastered by Brett Kull, the sound has a live, organic feel that lets the music breathe. And props to Alan Forbes and Aviva Novick for the artwork and design—fits the vibe perfectly without trying too hard.
Here’s the thing about Death Before Suckass: it’s not reinventing the wheel, nor does it try to. Instead, it doubles down on everything great about rock and blues-infused hard rock. It reminds you why you fell in love with these genres in the first place.
So yeah, check it out if you haven’t already. Just don’t blame me when you find yourself cranking it way louder than necessary. Oh, and fun fact—I bet Dimwit’s nickname comes from something hilarious no one will ever admit to. Either way, cheers to The Four Horsemen for keeping real rock alive.
