Album Type : Full Length
Date Released : 15/10/2013
Label : Deathwish Inc
GRAND BLOOD,
album track listing :
1). Intro
2). New Pyramids
3). Mankind
4). Grand Blood
5). Dead Friends
6). We Live In Shadows
7). Death In Heat
8). Back Taxes
9). Gone To Hell
10). Father Midnight
Bio :
Grand Blood from Doomriders is the follow-up to their
highly regarded 2010 album Darkness
Comes Alive. Grand Blood
was engineered by Kurt Ballou at God City Studios, and features artwork from
Thomas Hooper as well as packaging from Ryan Patterson (Coliseum) and J.
Bannon.
Where Darkness
Comes Alive was smooth and heavy in tone, Grand Blood is jagged and hard in its heart. Grand Blood is Doomriders pushing
themselves into wilder sonic territory previously unexplored by the band. In
songs like "Back Taxes" and "Bad Vibes", an angular noise
rock influence takes the lead, creating a harsh and charged environment. Not to
fret, the hooks Doomriders are known for are as sharp as ever though, sinking
into songs like the personal "Dead Friends" and melodious and
emotional "Gone to Hell" - two songs that impressively showcase Nate
Newton's evolving vocal ability. Meanwhile, monsters "Father
Midnight", "New Pyramids", and "Death In Heat" are
Doomriders at their heaviest and most discordant to date, all complimented by
new drummer Q (Magic Circle, Clouds, etc), whose frantic style powers this
genre crossing masterpiece
The Band :
Nate | Guitar, Vocals
Jebb | Bass, Vocals
Chris | Guitar
Q | Drums
Jebb | Bass, Vocals
Chris | Guitar
Q | Drums
Review :
I loves me
some Doomriders. As a Converge nut, I remember being really excited when I
heard that Nate Newton (he of the bass) had a little summat goin’ on the side.
When 'Black Thunder' came out many moons ago I fell completely in love with its
skate punk n' roll feel. So I was mighty chuffed when Aaron dropped their
latest effort into my lap, the highly promising 'Grand Blood'. And as it turns
out, they make good on all that promise.
'New Pyramids' is some hot shit, with its
rolling concussive drum blasts and its hedonistic opening six-string screech.
Said screech does reappear at various interludes, but it's bolstered either
side by some tasty low-end meat. Riffs like a great steak, grilled to
perfection. Newton's vocals are as good as they ever were, considering that
they aren't really even a factor in his day job too. Impressive stuff right
here.
The self
titled track is savage rock and roll beast, champing at the bit. More stellar
drum work (the new guy is really earning that paycheque); all smooth at one
point, and then knocking the shit out of life itself the next. Special mention
for Newton's more clean vocals on this particular track; he sounds almost
reminiscent of Hot Water Music's Chuck Ragan here. Which is obvious high
praise, considering how fucking ace Ragan is on the old pipes.
'Death in Heat' is pretty damn dirty.
Slow and monolithic, a depth charge wrapped in bad intentions and then deep
fried in freshly squeezed hate oil. Like Danzig meets Melvins (how good would
THAT be?), evil and sludgy and delicious. When it does begin to up the rhythm
it only hammers home even more how truly weighty this track is. Absolutely
filthy, and absolutely brilliant. I think I need a cold shower.
'Back Taxes' sounds like the bastard
offspring of the Stones and Entombed. They say that birth, taxes and death are
the only sure things in life. They should add the word 'back' before the tax
part in that expression. This is a sure thing too - sure to make you wanna
move, sure to bring a smile to your face, and definitely sure to please.
Doomriders
have returned with a bang, and 'Grand Blood' will continue to cement Newton as
'not just that Converge guy'. Add to the fact that it's produced by
co-conspirator Kurt Ballou (always a guarantee to success) and we have another
hot record for 2013. Equal parts Rock and Roll, equal parts Hardcore, but
always quintessentially Doomriders.
Hooray for
having 'other' bands, eh?
Words by : Matt Fitton
You can buy
it here
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