The relationship that I have established with my Vinyl/CD collection throughout the years has often been described as very unusual, and believe me there is a very good reason for that.

What I tended to do, even as a teenager, was to go on what my partner now describes as a shopping spree, one usually ending with me carrying large numbers of different releases at a time.

Why is this in any way significant in relation to Headhunter's second studio album "A Bizarre Gardening Accident"? If you are interested in the answer to that question, then you need to continue reading!

A vinyl copy of this release first fell into my hands back in 1992 and that was purely based on luck, seeing as I was one of those fanatic Destruction fans who blatantly refused to accept that the departure of Marcel "Schmier" Scirmer was anything more than a temporary setback.

Well, as we all know, it would eventually take a few years before the return of the tall frontman to the ranks of Destruction was achieved, but I did have a sealed record sitting there in my vinyl collection, so one cold winter evening I decided to make the brave step, unseal the record and put it on my turntable. The rest, as people often say, is history.

Any answers regarding this band's skills and capabilities had already answered in 1990 by the release of the debut album "Parody Of Life". That nine track release may have indeed proven not strong enough to compete with classics such as Kreator's "Coma Of Souls" or Sodom's "Better Of Dead" that came out that very same year, yet it provided the music world with a clear message: Headhunter were here to stay.

That message was further conveyed through the thirteen compositions that are featured in "A Bizarre Gardening Accident" - an album that is in principle faster, heavier and better balanced than its predecessor.

The short 'drunken' intro "Oh What A Pleasure" should not come as a surprise to those of you who were already acquainted with the band's debut album, seeing as there are also quite a few such moments of 'humorous nature' in that release. Still, I would be shocked to find out that there would be even a single one amongst you who would not be completely blown away by the overall strength and sheer energy of "Signs Of Insanity".

Based on simple shredding guitar riffs and smart rhythmical arrangements this four and a half minute dynamite contains one of the most impressive vocal performances by Schmier, but also a Priest-influenced virtuoso guitar solo, courtesy of the six string wizard Uwe "Schmuddel" Hoffman. A Coroner-sounding riff of massive proportions will introduce you to "Hit Machine" - a rhythmical composition where the bass plays a predominant role, followed by "Born In The Woods" - Schmier's first ever attempt to record proper melodic vocals.

Being aware of all the 'balance' and 'coherence' issues that haunted the band's debut release, I was initially disappointed by their decision to include a silly cover version of "Ramalama" and a pointless thirty nine second instrumental by the name "Domo" half way through the album - a decision that seems to have seriously jeopardised the album's coherence. Luckily enough, the second half of the album has also a few great moments to present, such as the ballad "Pangs Of Remorse", the mid-tempo heavy blaster "Rude Philosophy" and "Deadly Instinct" - a three and a half minute song which serves the purpose of allowing the members of the band to bring to the surface the technical side of their character.

I always felt really guilty for not having invested in Headhunter's music at the time that these albums were originally released, but AFM Records' decision to reissue these albums has provided me with an opportunity to make up for it. If "Parody Of Life" is the only Headhunter that you ever owned, then getting your hands on "A Bizarre Gardening Accident" is imperative, seeing as it is a much better album in every respect. Now, as far as I'm concerned, there is one more album that I need to check out and, based on what I was exposed to in "A Bizarre Gardening Accident", I feel that I have no time to loose. Watch this space for the next instalment from Headhunter!

****

Review by John Stefanis