The dive is dubbed "The Titty Twister."

If memory serves you well, then it probably has hit you that I'm referring to Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk 'Til Dawn.  Perhaps you are asking yourself, "Is the only way to contextualize a groove metal band predominantly constituted of Mexican-Americans within the frames of an embarrassingly campy, south-of-the-border vampire flick?"  Certainly not.  But if a down-and-out bar such as "The Titty Twister" did indeed exist, and it was situated on the Texas-Mexico border, and the clientele - what the hell? - turned into vampires, then Pissing Razors would be the ideal house band, mood music for the impending slaughterfest of fugitives from the law and innocent bystanders alike.

Back to the real world and out of the celluloid confines of Hollywood, Pissing Razors does exist, equal parts Pantera (Texas-tinged groove metal), Fear Factory (a Burton C. Bell lyrical delivery without the technology) and Machine Head (the machine-like, abrupt, rhythmic shifts).  And with a heavy touring schedule and this debut album, the band certainly brims with the potential to be future metal heavyweights.

The criticism I would level at this album is no different than the same critique I would give to many established groove metal bands with a few albums under their belts:  occasionally repetitive riffs with a bit too much of the existential metal angst that alternative music took a few too many steps further than it ever should have gone.  On the other hand, I would not call Pissing Razors whiners--lyrical trashtalking and macho posturing reminiscent of Pantera and company sometimes have the ability to transcend the silliness and giggles that lyrics of this type so often (inadvertently) incite.

My recommendation:  give this El Paso band its due.  I honestly believe that with due time and a bit more seasoning Pissing Razors could certainly earn a place atop the Texas metal pantheon along with Pantera.