No matter what the case, this is music from someone a lot weirder than me (and God help us that someone fitting that description exists). Picture industrial and goth meeting the Rocky Horror Picture Show and you have a start at least at describing some of the music on this CD. I'd like to do better than that, but I'm not sure words have been invented that describe what truly happens on this CD.

The CD starts off innocently enough with the first minute or so of "Holy Man" lulling the listener into believing that this is a somewhat normal fairly quiet CD. Then the band exponentially increases the noise level and lead singer Des sucks the listener into the Bentmen universe with his Tim Curry meets Ozzy Osbourne vocals. The second song, "Lobster Bib," sounding like a Primus/Mr. Bungle hybrid, starts off with some good guitar work but winds down into a dark operatic montage that sets the stage for the rest of the CD and is the first sign that maybe the listener might want to keep the skip button handy.

There is actually good music throughout the CD (even when it comes in small doses.) However, Bentmen are a breed unto themselves, and what they consider listenable or even what they consider music don't necessarily constitute what even the slightly unaverage listener considers listenable. Songs like "My Sisters Eyes" and "Gods New Mother" start off really well and up to a point are some of my favorite songs on the CD. However, there is a point in most of the songs where they become something of the band's vision and it is a vision that my mind is incapable of grasping.

If I were going to introduce a listener to the Bentmen (and be prepared for a VERY weird introduction,) I'd play one of the last two tracks. The second to last track, "Antithesis," is a high octane burner reminiscent of "The Trial" from Pink Floyd's Wall CD, with a flight of the bumblebee on crystal meth guitar riff and vocals from the deepest darkest metal jungles. "Flatfoot," the last track, is probably the most accessible track on the album, starting with an almost funky beat. It features probably the most fitting lyric of the entire CD: "This is where we rearrange your mind."

According to the press kit and also from images on the CD cover, Bentmen apparently employ a lot of visuals and theatrics in their live shows. Perhaps some of the music that I deem unlistenable on the CD might make more sense with the visual aspect included. I might say "This is sick, twisted brilliance" instead of "Maybe I should skip to the next song." However, point being, this is unusual music created by an unusual band and there are flashes of good musicianship here. If you like goth and insdustrial, and don't mind something that seemingly comes from another plane of existance, you might like this. As it is, however, I think this CD was a good EP with a few too many songs added to it.