The Angry Toons - Toonomicon
The Angry Toons are a Cartoon Metal band based in Oakland, California. This group provides a one-of-a-kind genre-defying experience that is absolutely fascinating and very easy to enjoy. Today we are excited to share our thoughts on The Angry Toons’ new album, Toonomicon!
Toonomicon begins with “Endless Scream” which introduces us to two key hallmarks featured throughout the entire album: colorfully apt song titles and crunchy, electrifying Metal music delivered in a way that only The Angry Toons could provide. This track is a rhythmic explosion and both bass and drums carry this one in a memorable way. “Still Alive” follows and it really brings some impressive energy. I really loved the lead guitar in this track as it occasionally provided colorful, complimentary accents (toward the middle of the song) and also took center stage with some real power (especially the last minute and a half or so). The longest track from the album, “Renegade Retribution”, is next and it clocks in at a hefty eight minutes. This one starts slower with a jazzy saxophone taking the lead early before sharing the limelight with more familiar tones as the song progresses.
“Big Bad Wolf” is the fourth track from Toonomicon and it is a creative and downright iconic retelling of the classic story. I could not help but smile while listening to this song and it is definitely one you will want to come back to. “Bat Out Of Hell” has a Bluesy vibe and it has some of the best lyrical expression and instrumental diversity on the album; vocalist Scampi also showcases some impressive range here as well. “I Don’t Mean To Be A D!ck, But F*ck You” is an unforgettable song with an equally unforgettable name. Bassist Anth0s contributes to the vocals in this one and I found myself really digging the sonic variance between all of the vocals involved here. “Frankenstein #2” is seventh and it has some of the best melodic work on the album. The way the lyrics are delivered also gives the song a kind of Folk-esque feel that makes it stand out - and kept me coming back to listen again.
In the eighth slot on Toonomicon is “Toon Raider”; this song has that quintessential Metal feel to it from top to bottom, with bass and guitar stealing the show. This song had me singing along by the end and I am sure it will have you all doing the same as well! “Farrier Of The Swamp” follows and it is absolutely in-your-face. The bass is delightfully groovy and song as a whole draws on multiple genres to deliver a distinctive feel that made this song my personal favorite from the album. I enjoy “Sh!t Show” for its unapologetic and straightforward nature. I wish I had more to say about this song but the key thing for me is that it shows The Angry Toons in tight, on-point form. “Godzilla” is the final song from Toonomicon and I just want to pause and say how much I love that this song is literally about Godzilla (well, and the folly of man and how we underestimate nature). This one stands as a very impressive album closer and is a song that showcases the band’s talents brilliantly.
This album is more than its colorfully titled tracks and heavy instrumentals; it is an explosive one-of-a-kind experience that offers a ton of enjoyment and replay value. Scampi’s lead vocals are perfectly rough, tough and full of energy, Cap'n Morgan’s guitar work is impeccable and the rhythm work between Anth0s and Eagorr is just perfection. You will not get a “typical” experience from The Angry Toons but their music offers a lot to enjoy - and you will definitely take away a great deal of enjoyment from Toonomicon.
You can keep up with The Angry Toons through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find Toonomicon on Bandcamp which we have embedded below! We also have the full album credit list beneath the embed below!
Scampi - Lead Vocals
Cap'n Morgan - Guitar, Vocals
Anth0s - Bass, Backup Vocals, Additional Featured Vocals on I Don't Mean To Be A D!ck, But F*ck you & Toon Raider, Synthesizer, Programming
Eagorr - Drums, Additonal Backup Vocals on Endless Scream & Frankenstein #2
Saxophone on Renegade Retribution performed by Nathan Peterson
Additional Backup Vocals, Guitar Coaching, and Vocal Coaching (for Cap'n Morgan) by Alex Taunton
Chorus lyrics for I Don't Mean To Be A Dick, But Fuck You originally written by Todd Cakus and Drue Berti.
Special thanks to Elizabeth Bergstrom and Randall Rey
Album Cover by K3N
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Anthony Davis at Space Pirate Studios in Oakland, California. Vocal mixing by Daniel Rodrigues at DROD Sound.
Produced by Anthony Davis and Daniel Rodrigues.
