Review
Scissorfight
Victory Over Horseshit

Tortuga Recordings (2006) Michael

Scissorfight – Victory Over Horseshit cover artwork
Scissorfight – Victory Over Horseshit — Tortuga Recordings, 2006

I'm going to jump right to the point; if you don't like rock-n-roll music, you're not going to like Scissorfight. This New Hampshire outfit plays gritty rock music - this is music for the blue collar working man. So if that is you, grab a case of your favorite beer, crack one open, and turn up the volume.

Victory Over Horseshit is a CD single to promote the band's upcoming full-length release. On this disc we get two songs from that album, two unreleased tracks, and a hard to find song. The disc opens with the title track, a rock-n-roll jam that is equal parts of influence from Clutch and Fu Manchu, but with a slight metal edge to it. Factor in a super catchy chorus, and it's hard not to sing along. "86 Sucker," the other new track, has a definite southern-rock tinge to it - ZZ Top is no doubt an influence - though it is a bit more straightforward in its approach. And while it may be written in a traditional verse-chorus-verse-chorus formula, it's by no means corporate radio rock.

Scissorfight hit us with two previously unreleased tracks. The first, "Sun Hunt" is lead by crisp riffs and, gasp, a clean singing Iron Lung. This change caught me a little off guard, but after a few listens the stylistic change didn't phase me anymore. Overall I found this song to have a slight Queens of the Stone Age feel to it. Well, the first QOTSA record that is. "Rules are Different for Dead Men" is a rager of a song and classic Scissorfight doing what they do best. The single closes out with "Transcontinental," a track that was available on the limited Champions of Sound Tour 7". And while this song was originally released a couple of years ago, it fits well on this single as it blends the aggressive dirty-rock upbringing and the recent mainstream leanings of the band.

Scissorfight have made a few adjustments since they last checked in, the most notable being that their sound has become a bit more accessible. The songwriting is a bit more straightforward and akin to mainstream radio rock. This isn't really a bad thing, though some longtime fans of the band might consider this move selling out. My suggestion is to ignore them and just rock out.

7.5 / 10Michael • February 7, 2006

Scissorfight – Victory Over Horseshit cover artwork
Scissorfight – Victory Over Horseshit — Tortuga Recordings, 2006

Related news

Scissorfight Vocalist Announces Art Show

Posted in Music News on October 17, 2007

Mess With The Bull (Ex-Scissorfight) Post Demos

Posted in MP3s on January 2, 2007

Scissorfight Tourdates

Posted in Tours on March 21, 2006

Recently-posted album reviews

Kreiviskai

Motinai
Infinite Fog Productions (2025)

Kreiviskai's origins are deeply rooted in the neofolk sound and ethos. Their debut record, Zemmis : supnãi, focuses on the musical lineage of Tver, embracing the traditional instrumentation to produce a somber and moving piece. Their follow-up record, Nonregnum expands outward, focusing on various historical events and introducing further influences. The pull of neo-classical is palpable, while the abrasive industrial … Read more

Miller Lowlifes

Pinch Hitters
ADD Records (2025)

The debut album from Florida punk band Miller Lowlifes features a vintage baseball theme, best enjoyed with a can of cheap domestic beer in hand. The metaphor fits, as Pinch Hitters focuses on the American dream -- and where it stands in 2025. The vintage educational TV audio clips add to this past-meets-present theme. It's an album that's equally about … Read more

Art Brut

Sorry, That It Doesn't Sound Like It's Planned! Battling Satan, 2009 - 2020
Edsel Records (2025)

I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his … Read more