Why such emphasis on [Remastered]? Well, usually that doesn't make much difference, but in this case it definitely DOES. The original release of Rabies suffered from PATHETIC production and mastering, and sounded like crap. I remember having to turn my stereo up to 9 just to hear the thing. Analog noise everywhere and some parts just weren't brought out enough at all... like the guitar on Tin Omen and all the synthesizers in Worlock, where the samples drowned out EVERYTHING. However, the [Remastered] version has NONE of these faults. The difference is unfrickinbelievable. I got it about 2 weeks ago and after one listen I threw the old one away. The production here rivals that of Too Dark Park and VIVIsectVI... Clear, intense sound, everything is accentuated just right, and nothing overpowers anything anymore. You can even hear (clearly!) the rumbling low synths behind the guitars in Fascist Jockitch.

Now, for the music... I don't know why everyone trashes this album, cuz EVERY industrial band did some metal experimenting here and there, why should SP be an exception? It wasn't a real turning point in their sound, considering that Too Dark Park came out the very next year. They were just experimenting. If you ask me, they went through this phase more gracefully than any other group... especially teaming up with Al Jourgensen... brilliant choice. His work on Tin Omen, Rodent and Fascist Jockitch was absolute genius. Also, there are still a few true-to-form Puppy songs here... including the almighty Worlock.

If you've got the old version, get this new one and you'll be literally shocked... and maybe then you won't be so disappointed with the album. Until next time...


The Puppy With Rabies CD, It's Not Mainstream!!!   May 26, 2005
Mike (North Bergen, NJ)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Rabies is perhaps the Skinny Puppy cd that could've came close to the mainstream at the time it came out in 1989. However, this is Skinny Puppy we're talking about. There's just no room in the mainstream for the likes of this innovative, harsh-conscious band. With that said, Rabies isn't all that accessible to the majority of music listeners. Has Puppy ever been that accessible? Really? The main difference b/w this cd and previous cds is mainly that it's more guitar-driven. What that does is just add another nice touch to SP's evolution.

I mention this mainly because Rabies is always mentioned as Ministry-influenced. I don't think Ministry hold a big place for this cd. Most of the mood, texture, and style found in Rabies is definitive Puppy. Nightmarish, demonic voices. Insane, druglike music. Crazy horror-movie samples. Typical Puppy.

Make no mistake, Rabies is one of SP's toughest, most essential cds around. Once the listener tunes out Ministry's presence, Rabies is certain to feel like the hard-hitting, head-trippin' work that Skinny Puppy had probably intended it to be. It's an hour of ferocious greatness that will melt your brain and you'll be glad to repeat the effects. One more thing, check out the original version of Tin Omen on their B-Sides CD. It is actually better than the regular version.








I've been bit.   July 12, 2005
H3@+h (VT)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I'm not a Skinny Puppy fanatic, but of the albums I've heard, "Rabies" is my favorite. Alot has been made of the production from Al Jourgenson, but the influence is subtle, and this is no Ministry. Most of this is excellent, but favorites are "Rodent", "Worlock", "Rivers", and of course "Tin Omen". Anybody new to the band would be best off with this album, "Too Dark Park", or obviously "The Singles Collection". This is simply an essential album from one of the essential industrial bands, and "Rabies" will have you foaming at the mouth.


The Perfect Entry Level Puppy   May 6, 2005
Weez (Colorado Springs, CO USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Rabies tends towards the less chaotic of the SP releases, and it does so with a lot of influence of Al Jourgensen of Ministry.

The Rabies sessions were rumoured to be some of the most disfunctional of the SP recording sessions, with Al, Ogre, and cevin fighting it out over who got the final say in various mixes - check out the "alternative" remix of Tin Omen on CD single (if you can find it) that Al had nothing to do with for a slower, darker, more grinding version of the LP version. In the end, Al shaped a more precise, cleaner, clearer sound from the band than the previous or later releases which veered off into bursts of distortion and noise (VIVIsect VI, Too Dark Park, Last Rites) than Rabies. Because of the obvious dancehall influences (Rodent, Worlock) and the programming precision throughout the album, it's a lot more accessible (I was going to type "mainstream," but that just seems wrong for a SP review...) than any of their later releases except possibly The Process, which was never truly finished.

Me? I qualify VIVIsect VI or Too Dark Park as the seminal SP albums, but my tastes run towards sonic train wrecks. The Puppy albums that completely shocked me upon first listen and took some getting used to and deciphering were always my favorites. Those looking for more traditional death disco or aggro-electronica sounds will probably prefer Rabies.


This is my first Skinny Puppy Album...   November 7, 2005
William A. Gibson (Austin, TX)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

...and I have to say, it's unbelievably good.

There is not a single bad track on this album. I can't believe I've lived so long without hearing the brilliance of Skinny Puppy music. Although i have to say that this is not music for everyone. Only those who consider themselves fans of industrial music should buy this cd. If you don't consider yourself a fan of industrial music, then pay this album no mind, because if you do buy it, you'll write some ignorant bad review of it.

Standout Tracks to me were:
"Fascist Jock Itch" - This is easily the most energetic song on the album. You can feel the energy surging into you as you listen to it.
"Worlock" - This song is just f***ing good. There is no way around that fact. Pleasant, yet at the same time extremely emotional. It also has a very deep message in its cryptic lyrics. This song now stands among my favorite songs of all time.