The very first thing you'll notice about Sydney psychobilly trio Zombie Ghost Train when you pick up their e.p. is that they appear to have a healthy (although most would probably consider it to be an unhealthy) fascination with monsters (of the good old-fashioned variety, that is), death and all things zombified.  There is no denying, as you flip through the cd's booklet, that these boys are dressed to impress and have their ghoulish make-up down pat. What stands out even more than that, though, is the fact that their music is even more impressive. 

In a genre that makes it quite hard to come up with something original these days, Stu (aka Dr Arkoff), Aaron M and Azza T have put together a handful of songs that will make you pretty pissed that it's all over in only 25 minutes (although given that The Unseen's last album came in at only 20 minutes despite there being 12 tracks on it, I guess I shouldn't complain about ZGT!).

While the songs on Monster Formal Wear may not be executed at a frenetic pace (although, in all honesty, it is a misnomer that if a band is considered "psychobilly" then all their songs should automatically be assumed to be really fast), there are enough tempo changes throughout the e.p. for it to not be monotonous.  Another feature, which enables Zombie Ghost Train to escape the clutches of over-dramatisation, is Stu's voice. He manages to leave the theatrics out of his vocals yet can change it appropriately for each tune (maybe he realises there is enough of that going on with their appearance), so you don't tire of hearing him sing.

I'd love to pick a couple of tracks to list as highlights but to be perfectly honest, the entire cd rocks.  Keep an eye out for the two hidden tracks at the end of Mad Mummy Daddy and also for the guitar hook that starts Devil Child (which will stay in your head for at least a week after hearing it, if not longer).

I cannot wait for their next release.

- reviewed by Dominique -