Nor can RealPlayer's stubborn refusal to recognise this CD as Down Low, insisting instead that it’s called 666% Rock ‘n’ Roll, a title, which I kinda prefer.

The correct sobriquet I’m guessing refers to vocalist Avital Tamir, who doesn’t so much sing as summon a rumbling sound from a grumbling pit of discontent deep within himself. Indeed so sunken is Tamer’s mike technique that he makes a bass sound like a soprano. Surely, he must gargle with rubble. Either that or his balls dropped further than most.

Betzefer, Roadrunner’s first-ever Israeli signing, hail from Tel Aviv. They hit upon their name after teaming up to play a high-school gig back in 1998. ‘Betzefer’ is Hebrew slang for ‘Beit Hasefer’, which means school.

Big in their homeland, Betzefer have already supported Fear Factory and Lamb Of God on their travels. And they draw on genre favourites Pantera and Sepultura as influences, if 'Fuckin' Rock 'N' Roll' is anything to go by. It’s a lumbering troglodyte of a song, and continent-heavy to boot.

Despite coming from the Holy Land, the band, numbering Tamir along with guitarist Matan Cohen, bass player Roten Inbar, and Roey Berman on drums, side with Satan. You only have to consider the linguistic similarities between Betzefer and Lucifer. It’s a wise decision. The devil always did have the best tunes.

(3½/5)

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