"To the uninitiated this collection of once forgotten rarities and unreleased versions absent from any studio or live albums to date is a fine introduction to The Hangmens’ unmistakable raw dark energy.

Calling it a rarities collection is weighted, until now they’ve notoriously refused to reissue, repackage or repress previous output, and so it also stands to compliment existing album collections.

Dredged and salvaged from the bands own vaults of raw demos and vinyl only release versions these ceaseless, snarling cadavers have here been mastered at Western Star Studios, exhumed and groomed to menace new minds and unsettle old ones. Enjoy - for want of a better word!"

"So raw it attracts bacteria".

New 2022 All Originals Studio Album! WAV Audio Files.

Recorded in Ed Gein’s shed at deafening, sanity cracking levels during hours of darkness using amps, instruments and microphones stolen from the dead.

Acknowledgements:

The Hangmen would like to sincerely thank ourselves, we really couldn’t do this without us.

Dedicated to Spoony.

"Ok, first track is called 'Hell's Vagina'. Jesus what a crazed song. It tells of strip club massacres, live autopsies and worse to a pounding psychotic beat from start to finish. The Hangmen haven't been rewriting themselves or getting trapped into catering to a demographic and they certainly haven't mellowed with age. As the album progresses, normally innocent talents of musicianship and songwriting are not only abused and mutilated to serve the band's dark riotous signature, they are a cut (slash?) above the regular."

"As half-expected this sounds like they walked into a (very dark) room, plugged in and raised all Hell. Their hectic raw live feel flows throughout, the band working well together and generally sidestepping cliches. Make no mistake this is the deranged, intense stuff they are renowned for with the same trashy aesthetic but with some progression to show for their years in the recording wilderness".

"For a three piece 'niche' band the tracks are quite diverse, blurring the lines between rockabilly & punk whilst settling into neither, a success not a failing but fair to say probably a marketing nightmare. When they evoke 1950's Rock & Roll it's not bobby sox and ponytails that grab their attention it's the girl wearing a 'Collar Bomb'. Through the dark gritty blues stomp of 'Hexing' there is a feeling that you the listener won't sleep well tonight, but you're tapping your feet all the same. 'House Of Bone','Thermonuclear Whore'...they can still pull off 150% Proof Psychobilly with a twist like they were born doing it, then drag up some creepy retro rock or even proto-punk channeled through 'Evil Genius'. An eerie song called 'Sweet Suicide Tears' is even more disturbing for how 'poppy' the tune actually is. 'Born To Die' rocks and rolls like a train, 'Walk With A Devil' drags you off the ride into an unsettling dimension that makes everything before it actually seem like a better place to be, so you hit the album repeat button! They all gel scarily well as a whole without ever compromising the bands very basic sound. The whole experience is manic, moody, unpredictable, obscene and even makes you secretly grin whilst hoping nobody notices. Melodic, tense, footstomping, hipshaking, gear-grinding, shape-shifting, dark, lawless rock n' roll - The Hangmen once again cut a trail where nobody else would have gone and few will try to follow."

"It is what it is, unapologetic...and even by Psychobilly standards savage and brutal. Set this to play and thirteen tracks later you'll wonder what the Hell's just happened for the last forty minutes. Play it again and you'll notice things you hadn't noticed the first time and wonder how that was possible, like one of those unsettling movies you have to watch over and over...and over."

"...Punkabilly/Rockabilly/Psychobilly or just plain simple Trash Punk band, yes its dark lyrically and yes it delves deep into the bowels of musical darkness, but what it also does is uplift and excite around every corner. Thirteen songs and thirteen moments that all gel together, yet they also all stand alone as songs that have there own lives and tweaks in style, kicking off with ‘Hell’s Vagina’ you are immediately struck by the title then struck in the ears by a three minute stonker of a melodic filled opening of the doors down into hell itself,. This song gives the listener a window into just how this album ticks, melody is tinged with raw blood curdling vocals that still find the time to show some remorse to the listener, take ‘Collarbomb’ it kinda shows some love in a deathly and of way, then there’s the track of the album ‘Sweet Suicide Tears’ with its straight up Rockabilly rhythm and a hook that grabs you like a lamb to the slaughter, they both show how this album does have a soft side, even if its a only in the musical sense. What you get the sense of throughout the ensuing tracks on this stand out album, is the need to push the rules here and there, there’s no need to stick to Psychobilly or jump straight down the throat of the Punkabilly lion. What's even more important about The Hangmen and this album, is its need to be nothing more than a band doing things their way, creating a sound and songs that can never be anything else but unmistakably unique, ‘True Hate Never Dies’ drip of this, a guitar sound that sends chills down the spine, a bass that drops in everywhere like a cluster bomb, drum beats that have all the gale and power of a panther stomping through the songs, then the vocal tears heads off where needed and soothes the ear when wanted. Death never has to be the end, The Hangmen will always be kicking on the lid of the coffin from the inside, this album will most definitely shake your head from your shoulders, then stick it back on and say “get dancing!”

Punksite.com full review

All compositions and lyrics are originals, registered with PPL & PRS/MCPS and are protected by copyright. Details on request.

The bands fastest and best selling album was a much awaited return to studio album recording which rubber stamped their existing credibility. As usual, all originals played raw and straight down the line - no gimmicks detract from this powerful collection of well crafted works.

Went straight into No.4 on the worldwide Psychobilly album charts on release.

Label Press Release:

The long awaited new studio album from Psychobilly renegades The Hangmen. Cacklefest delivers 14 all original tracks certain to delight their cult fanbase accumulated over 15 years, six previous albums and relentless live forays across the UK, Europe and North America, as well as the rising new generation of Punk, Rockabilly and Psychobilly hybrid devotees. Sounds like a riot, the tunes are both accomplished and diverse and the songwriting superbly deranged.

A dark, wild and punked up Rock 'n' Roll concoction of spare monster parts, pieces of crashed dragsters and Voodoo artefacts. Definitely one for the 'play loud' crowd.

Reviews:

The Hangmen, the most independent of Psychobilly bands have come up with a no compromise killer of an album. The song writing is clever and hard hitting as it writhes about festering in the gutter, but look again it's not spluttering it's death cackle, it's revelling in its position as the lowest common denominator in musical genres. There are no taboos with The Hangmen, it's all here, murder, death and mental health issues covered in unsavoury vocal style, delivered on the back of a jack hammer double bass driven beat and guitar to make your ears bleed. 'Rotten To The Bone' proclaims the cover, you can't argue with that, decomposition never sounded so good.

The Hangmen are back with their long awaited new album Cacklefest. This is an onslaught of mutilated Punk, Rock 'n' Roll and Psychobilly, true to the Hangmen style. Cacklefest will definitely impress the avid fan. From the first track you are launched into a sick and twisted world supported by heavy riffs and Loz's gravely tones. "Bad Medicine" gives you chance for a breather before the relentless pace continues. "Wake up, smell the nitro" pays a contagious little homage to Drag Racing at Santa Pod, definitely one for all you Wrench reading petrol heads out there. This album will gnaw its way into your brain, proving the Hangmen are well and truly back with a vengeance!

I've been waiting for Cacklefest for days. Each morning has found me looking out the window and watching the postman beat a path to my door with a fistful of bills, but sans CD. The result being that the anticipation has been rising as fast as the pile of unpaid bills. Anticipation is a double edged sword though. On one hand it can get the juices flowing and set the scene for what's next. While on the other it can raise expectation so high that failure to deliver on what's promised becomes increasingly likely. Make no mistake. It can be a headfuck. I've been guilty of letting it rise and rise in the past. Just to find that a good album can sound pretty pedestrian when measured against the unrealistic expectations.

So now that Cacklefest has finally arrived, and with this thought bouncing around inside my head, it was with a bit of trepidation that I slipped the disc on.

I needn't have worried though. As the last track played out and I pressed the play button again I found myself completely satisfied with it.

Opening with "Godkilla" The Hangmen throw down the gauntlet and set the pace with a track that's a primal howl of loathing for everything. A gut wrenching punk hymn. "Rainy Day in Paradise" keeps the needle bouncing in the red with an unflinching overview on how trying to fit in can ultimately lead to mental anguish. "Firewalker" is the first real rock and roll track on the album and will please many of the old school fans, but it's with "Bad Medicine" where they take their foot off the pedal a bit that they shine. It's a killer track. Evocative lyrics and if anyone wants to put out a single then look no further. "Take it to the Grave" takes a step back and revisits the classic Hangmen sound with Loz rattling out couplets like there is no tomorrow. Another belter. The next song "Nightmare in a damaged brain" is the first out and out psychobilly track on the album. One that will have some of the recently converted 'billy's and 'betties pissing their panties. It's not popabilly kids. It's the real deal. "Goodbye Coffin Joe" marks the halfway spot and still there is no sign of this album flagging. All killa and no filla as da kids would say. Maybe it's the length of time since the last album that has allowed them to keep pushing the material, moulding it, perfecting it. Whatever it is, it's worked for them. "Graveyard Songs" Sounds like they have resurrected Bon Scott to sit down with Steve Earle and write a song with Loz looking over their shoulder to add his tuppence worth in. When he says "I'm a bad muther fucker and I don't mind dying" you get the impression that he means it. "Got nobody, lost your head" gets all punky on us, and reminds me of a dirtier and more street sounding "someone is going to get their head kicked in tonight" On first listen to "Hells' Bells" I wasn't really sure what I made of it. It's a dark funeral march for most of it and then it's all hell for leather country twang. The second time out of the gates it really grabs you, but it's the first track on the album that doesn't jump up on first listen. As is usual it will probably be the one that will get revisited the most. Back to basics with "demonsemen" and nowt to do with the song itself, but funnily enough a spell check keeps wanting to change it to Demon semen. Gives the lines "You got demons hanging off you, and demons locked inside" a whole new meaning. Enough of that though. This is another highlight from the album, and another contendor as a single track. As is "Wake up and smell the nitro". I've always considered The Hangmen to be an album band, but damn if this one hasn't got enough tracks to keep everyone in 7"s and splits till their next full length. The penultimate track "Zero Worship" is prime social commentary. Who says that it has to be all graveyards and blood sucking zombies? Oh, and it rocks like a motherfucker to, even if it does owe a huge debt to Mr Kilminster.

"Sick fuck comic book" finishes on a relentless note and as tongue twisters go I don't think there will be many takers to sing along at gigs. You have to hear it to believe it.

As an opening line to a song 'Firstly I would like to thank all the two faced **s who got the * out of my life' damn well takes some following, but The Hangmen in 'Got Nobody and Lost Your Head' do so relentlessly. That epitomous moment is worth the price of this album on its own, yet ALL of the tracks on this album are remarkable and quotable. Splendidly put together and drenched in an enraged psychotic angst that most bands half their age could never aspire to no matter how many tattoos, piercings and anti-social issues they affect. This is a powerful reminder that danger and challenge still lurk in Rock & Roll. So lets just confirm this is not background music. It demands and gets your attention and leaves you wanting more. You will probably not hear anything else like it. Guitar, drums and double bass - a 3 piece line up making a hell of a full sound throughout, with only the help of a sax outro on one track. Rocketing (mostly) tunes with no two sounding alike, it's easy to label the music brand as 'psychobilly' but when confronted with something like this it's also easy to picture a puzzled look amongst followers of that genre. A look like that on some unlucky kid whose cereal box doesnt contain a free plastic monster. There are real but no plastic monsters here. There are no cliches, soundalikes, or following of the rank and file. A rockabilly band with its punk genes running riot is one way of viewing it, but in all honesty its more than that. There is an unholy substance to every song and tune. Listening to this in the horror punk camp would be like screening The Texas Chainsaw Massacre after Carry On Screaming. Each number will have you grabbing the lyric booklet, each time you get to the end you will leave it in the player and hit play again. It isnt pleasant but it is exhilarating.

Cacklefest! CD album c/w full colour artwork throughout - 8 page lyric booklet with artwork by Paskal Millet protected in cellophane wrap.

Rarities Collection - pre-album demo versions, one-offs and previously vinyl only releases.

"To the uninitiated this collection of once forgotten rarities and unreleased versions absent from any studio or live albums to date is a fine introduction to The Hangmens’ unmistakable raw dark energy.

Calling it a rarities collection is weighted, until now they’ve notoriously refused to reissue, repackage or repress previous output, and so it also stands to compliment existing album collections.

Dredged and salvaged from the bands own vaults of raw demos and vinyl only release versions these ceaseless, snarling cadavers have here been mastered at Western Star Studios, exhumed and groomed to menace new minds and unsettle old ones. Enjoy - for want of a better word!"

"So raw it attracts bacteria".

All new studio album on Compact Disc with full colour lyric booklet, original controversial artwork that was declined by one pressing plant and pulled by iTunes.

Featuring:

1. Hell's Vagina
2. House Of Bone
3. Collarbomb
4. The Necronomicon
5. The Letter
6. Hexing
7. Born To Die
8. Thermonuclear Whore
9. Evil Genius
10. The Great Brain Robbery
11. Sweet Suicide Tears
12. True Hate Never Dies
13. Walk With A Devil

Also available to buy download only

"Ok, first track is called 'Hell's Vagina'. Jesus what a crazed song. It tells of strip club massacres, live autopsies and worse to a pounding psychotic beat from start to finish. The Hangmen haven't been rewriting themselves or getting trapped into catering to a demographic and they certainly haven't mellowed with age. As the album progresses, normally innocent talents of musicianship and songwriting are not only abused and mutilated to serve the band's dark riotous signature, they are a cut (slash?) above the regular."

"As half-expected this sounds like they walked into a (very dark) room, plugged in and raised all Hell. Their hectic raw live feel flows throughout, the band working well together and generally sidestepping cliches. Make no mistake this is the deranged, intense stuff they are renowned for with the same trashy aesthetic but with some progression to show for their years in the recording wilderness".

"For a three piece 'niche' band the tracks are quite diverse, blurring the lines between rockabilly & punk whilst settling into neither, a success not a failing but fair to say probably a marketing nightmare. When they evoke 1950's Rock & Roll it's not bobby sox and ponytails that grab their attention it's the girl wearing a 'Collar Bomb'. Through the dark gritty blues stomp of 'Hexing' there is a feeling that you the listener won't sleep well tonight, but you're tapping your feet all the same. 'House Of Bone','Thermonuclear Whore'...they can still pull off 150% Proof Psychobilly with a twist like they were born doing it, then drag up some creepy retro rock or even proto-punk channeled through 'Evil Genius'. An eerie song called 'Sweet Suicide Tears' is even more disturbing for how 'poppy' the tune actually is. 'Born To Die' rocks and rolls like a train, 'Walk With A Devil' drags you off the ride into an unsettling dimension that makes everything before it actually seem like a better place to be, so you hit the album repeat button! They all gel scarily well as a whole without ever compromising the bands very basic sound. The whole experience is manic, moody, unpredictable, obscene and even makes you secretly grin whilst hoping nobody notices. Melodic, tense, footstomping, hipshaking, gear-grinding, shape-shifting, dark, lawless rock n' roll - The Hangmen once again cut a trail where nobody else would have gone and few will try to follow."

"It is what it is, unapologetic...and even by Psychobilly standards savage and brutal. Set this to play and thirteen tracks later you'll wonder what the Hell's just happened for the last forty minutes. Play it again and you'll notice things you hadn't noticed the first time and wonder how that was possible, like one of those unsettling movies you have to watch over and over...and over."

Punksite.com: "...Punkabilly/Rockabilly/Psychobilly or just plain simple Trash Punk band, yes its dark lyrically and yes it delves deep into the bowels of musical darkness, but what it also does is uplift and excite around every corner. Thirteen songs and thirteen moments that all gel together, yet they also all stand alone as songs that have there own lives and tweaks in style, kicking off with ‘Hell’s Vagina’ you are immediately struck by the title then struck in the ears by a three minute stonker of a melodic filled opening of the doors down into hell itself,. This song gives the listener a window into just how this album ticks, melody is tinged with raw blood curdling vocals that still find the time to show some remorse to the listener, take ‘Collarbomb’ it kinda shows some love in a deathly and of way, then there’s the track of the album ‘Sweet Suicide Tears’ with its straight up Rockabilly rhythm and a hook that grabs you like a lamb to the slaughter, they both show how this album does have a soft side, even if its a only in the musical sense. What you get the sense of throughout the ensuing tracks on this stand out album, is the need to push the rules here and there, there’s no need to stick to Psychobilly or jump straight down the throat of the Punkabilly lion. What's even more important about The Hangmen and this album, is its need to be nothing more than a band doing things their way, creating a sound and songs that can never be anything else but unmistakably unique, ‘True Hate Never Dies’ drip of this, a guitar sound that sends chills down the spine, a bass that drops in everywhere like a cluster bomb, drum beats that have all the gale and power of a panther stomping through the songs, then the vocal tears heads off where needed and soothes the ear when wanted. Death never has to be the end, The Hangmen will always be kicking on the lid of the coffin from the inside, this album will most definitely shake your head from your shoulders, then stick it back on and say “get dancing!”

Dave Diamond of Slap That Bass: Hell’s Vagina – ..put your seatbelt on….engage and get ready for The Hangmen…here we g-o-o-o—o… fantastic high octane tune to kick start this ninth album… fab growling raw vocals from Loz, and loving the eerie guitar solo, Andy is giving it some with his awesome slapping bass and top notch drumming from Garry…loving the staggered sections and the catchy chorus really does lift this song to above and beyond. House of Bone – slow start to this number, then boom we are off once again…another powerhouse track that really does tear the flesh off the bones, I really love the varied tempo of the mid-section breakdown of this original song. Collarbomb – “Telling the story of the girl in the collarbomb and all the eyes are on you! “What makes you tick tick tick tick? “Everybody stand right back!”…This one’s a really catchy mid-tempo tune with a fab guitar lick running through it…and ends with the collar bomb exploding…. Great track. The Necronomicon – a much slower haunting number…showcasing the bands musicianship and love the change of speed on the chorus and then more changes during the solo. Great lyrics on this original track that’s “gonna getcha one by one…join us!” This track is mostly written around the script of The Evil Dead and thus explains the calm, mad, calm structure to reflect how the movie roller coaters! The Letter – this song is 3 minutes of rock-boning-billy…great higher mix on the drums and bass on this one makes the rhythm section really cut through… once again rip-roaring vocals… Hexing – Another very well lyrical written tune..”there’s blood on the table and markings on the floor”, great slapping bass and nice drum rolls around the kit mixed in with a slower twang guitar and a great vocal make this a perfect horror-tastic number! Born To Die – Staggered section to start this one.. Loz really going for it to get all those vocals in each verse… fantastic instru-mental section..hey hey hey… a nice heavy floor tom beat adds spice to this number…. nice backing vocals on the hey’s…. this one’s a real screamer! Thermonuclear Whore – Boom…here we go with another powerhouse overloading track…..would love to see this one played live….for sure it’s not going to keep you in your seat but straight on that dancefloor….look out…arms a-swinging! Evil Genius – Short burst verses on this number that goes twice round then into the chorus we go. Another very well worked out original from this trio and musically very well written…. “you can’t lose you can’t win, silently the evil genius grins!” The Great Brain Robbery – Loving the up and down vocal variation style on this song….this one has an anthem vibe to it… another octane overload tune for sure from this trio. Sweet Suicide Tears – this one’s a bit more melodic with its rhythmic overtones and chord style guitar interludes…then it explodes into the chorus in true Hangmen style…at 2min 20 love the breakdown section once again. True Hate Never Dies – never a true word has been spoken….this one explodes like a volcano erupting.. another great track to been seen live, this song has everything…nice drum section and then enter the guitar solo…. A real powerhouse song. Walk With A Devil – nice instrumental start to this the final song of this 13 track release…a great slow stomping number…nice backing vocals and great drumming on this one, nice repeats at the end Could see this number being a stand out track in a movie for 2023…so watch out gang!! This is their ninth album, contains all originals and is packed with raucous octane overload tunes that will leave you wanting to hear their next release… If you love powerhouse kick ass non stop numbers then look no further!