This was Cacophony’s second release (1988). "Go Off! Was right on
the heels of "Speed Metal Symphony", the previous years release. I
noticed a clearer focal point with the arrangements musically and
there is a noticeable improvement in Peter Marino’s vocals on this
album. It was an all around better effort from the Cacophony camp.
The dynamic duo of Jason Becker and Marty Freidman really show how
they used the first album as a period of experimentation and development
to move into a more mature interlude on the following release. This
is the result of all that hard work and musical risk taking.
"Stranger" is the epitome of the rock music of the day, dominated
by blaring guitars and hard-edged vocals. The difference in this music
compared to the mainstream music that was rolling in truckloads of
cash was the stretching out of Becker and Freidman as legitimate guitar
heroes based on their pure talent and nothing else. They did it all
with abandon and with the intent of showing what true maestros of
music that they were. They didn’t care about having a hit single or
any of that corporate crap that ruined so many artists’ careers. Listen
to the dark "Black Cat" and if you aren’t a believer after that song,
pack it in and turn on your top-forty AM radio station. That song
ends on a soft note as it fades out with a nice acoustic guitar. Don’t
relax, as the next song "Sword Of The Warrior" is back full force
with plenty of gloom and doom to drive you back down to reality and
make you realize that they mean business. I also should mention the
standup support by the other members of the band-Jimmy O’Shea (bass),
Peter Marino (vocals), and Kenny Stavropoulos (drums). Without that
foundation the castle that Jason and Marty built wouldn’t be standing
for long. The last track "Images" closes out the album leaving it
up to Becker and Freidman to take you on an out-and-out musical magic
carpet ride. There are moments of savagery and beauty, giving more
strength and justification to all of their work.
This was Cacophony’s final album, but there was more to come from
Mr. Becker soon after the group’s demise.
1. X-Ray Eyes (Becker/Friedman)
2. E.S.P. (Freidman)
3. Stranger (Becker/Fontano)
4. Go Off! (Becker/Friedman)
5. Black Cat (Becker/Friedman)
6. Sword of the Warrior (Fontano/Friedman)
7. Floating World (Friedman)
8. Images (Becker)
