REVIEW: Video Dead - Brotherhood of the Dead
By Simon Marshall
07/02/25
Blogger Simon Marshall Revisits The Video Dead's seminal record Brotherhood Of The Dead to see if it holds up almost 20 years later.
The Video Dead - Brotherhood Of The Dead
By Simon Marshall
Occasionally a band is remembered for more than just their music and the Video Dead are one of those bands.
Iconic for their sound and the opportunities they created for other musicians in the scene, the Burlington-based hardcore punk/skate punk band left a lasting impact on the music community. Their classic album, “Brotherhood of the Dead", released in 2006 on Stereo Dynamite Records, made its way to the shelves of HMV (where I picked up my copy) - a major accomplishment at the time.
They played live at local haunt Moe’s Tavern and was talked about regularly on the scene’s popular message board known simply as “the 905 board”.
LISTEN TO BROTHERHOOD OF THE DEAD BY THE VIDEO DEAD ON SPOTIFY
Get tickets to Death By Stereo, The Video Dead, Lee Reed, Jen Blackwood & Anthony Haley
REVIEW: THE VIDEO DEAD'S BROTHERHOOD OF THE DEAD - 20 YEARS LATER
The opening track “Cover me I’m going in” gets straight to the point as frontman Ben Rispin belts out “November 2nd 2004, your apathetic bullshit, let evil win and you could’ve stopped a war”, emphasizing the groups’ disapproval of George W. Bush’s re-election. From the track’s memorable opening guitar riff that triggered many mosh pits to Matt Richmond’s incredibly melodic back up vocals, to the chorus that anyone can sing along to, the band puts it all out there for everyone to see.
“Like a cover of Damaged” follows it up with a more traditional punk song, teasing the band’s melodic side. The track hits hard with back and forth vocals from Rispin and Richmond, showcasing the band’s chemistry and concludes with a ripping guitar solo courtesy of Greg Fisher.
Fan favourite “Suckubus”, goes off at top speed courtesy of former drummer and founding member, Tyler Sumak's memorable punk beat. At one minute long, the group gets it done quickly but not before closing with an old school Kid Dynamite-vibe breakdown. Richmond, Barnhart and Fisher each have a vocal part which adds to the dynamic.
The Video Dead in 2004: Ty Sumak, Greg Fisher, Matt Richmond, Ben Rispin, Matt Barnhart
Perhaps the deepest and most intense track on the record, “The Bretherin”, is a deeply personal track and a nod to the band’s friends who are no longer here today. Rispin’s lyrics still sends chills down my spine with, “I know I’m not around to show you how much I care, I’m thankful for all you’ve given me and just know I’ll always be here”. The band shows their vulnerability here and at the root it’s the theme behind “Brotherhood of the Dead”.
With peer-to-peer media sharing and the popularity of emo/screamo really settling in at the time, it was a battery check for any serious punk band forging ahead in those uncertain times. Take for example standout track “Rad, like Tony Alva rad” where the band summarizes it well with the lyrics “All these bands are playing just to get signed, new scene, new kids new times”.
To put things into context, Rispin, Fisher and Richmond would later go on to form Juno award nominee band “The Saint Alvia Cartel”. As an idea to help raise tour funds, the annual weekend music festival “Burly Calling” was born. This in itself created opportunities for so many artists to thrive and in new ways, Rispin and company selflessly continue to do so today.
Recommended listen: All of it
4.5 stars
Catch the Video Dead at Vertagogo in Hamilton on Friday July 4th with Death by Stereo, Lee Reed, Jen Blackwood and Anthony Haley.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Simon Marshall is a Project Manager who resides in Hamilton, Ontario with his wife and two daughters. He plays drums in the punk band Adelleda and is actively involved in the Southern Ontario music scene.
