THE ELECTRIC BIBLE | CHAPTER 223

THE ELECTRIC BIBLE | CHAPTER 223

HALF MACHINE LIP MOVES

CHROME

(1978)

A1: T.V. AS EYES (2:16); A2: ZOMBIE WARFARE (CAN’T LET YOU DOWN) (5:47); A3: MARCH OF THE CHROME POLICE (A COLD CLAMEY BOMBING) (3:36); A4: YOU’VE BEEN DUPLICATED (2:37); A5: MONDO ANTHEM (3:30).

B1: HALF MACHINE LIP MOVES (5:21); B2: ABSTRACT NYMPHO (3:34); B3: TURNED AROUND (1:58); B4: ZERO TIME (3:02); B5: CREATURE ETERNAL (1:52); B6: CRITICAL MASS (2:00).

CATEGORY: MACHINE-PUNK | DURATION: 36 MINUTES

The “post-punk” detonation of rock norms continued on America’s West Coast where Chrome, led by vocalist Damon Edge and guitarist Helios Creed, unleashed Half Machine Lip Moves, a feral explosion of mangled distorted riffs, tape noise, primitive samples and splices, and psychotic SF imagery signalling the end of civilization. Hailed by some as an early example of “industrial rock”, Half Machine Lip Moves might also be remembered as a machine-punk juggernaut which auguried the imminent arrival, finally, of punk-music in its true form (hardcore). Unsurprisingly, Chrome’s corrosive masterpiece was largely overlooked while the mainstream press lauded safe bands like Devo, but time has revealed the true power of Half Machine Lip Moves and its position at the apex of American music in the wake of PiL.

 

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT YOUNG (1964-2014)

ÆTERNUM VORTICE LACRIMARUM SOMNIAT”