Testify

by Simon CantlonThis EP is a very confusing release, mainly because it is hard to identify why it exists. Comprised for the most part of remixed tracks from the Damned's 1996 release Not of This Earth, as a whole it is a very underwhelming addition to what was also a less than stellar release. The U.K. Subs mix of "Testify" is a hideous disaster with heavily buried vocals, while the Nosferatu mix of the same song is a bit better but also proves unnecessary. Things become a bit cloying on "Shadow to Fall: Hypersensitive" and "No More Tears," with the deep, brooding Elvis-like vocals being mistakenly buried in the mix. This release seems to be some sort of strange attempt to revitalize the Damned with a more cutting-edge sound, but the convergence of the original songs with the remix elements makes no inroads into invigorating this weak material. The addition of the live bonus track "Looking at You" (from 1985), with its rocking energy, sorely highlights what's missing elsewhere on this EP.