| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: Michael Bloodgood, Les Carlson & David Zaffiro |
| Record Label: Frontline | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1987 | Artist Website: Bloodgood |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 35:39 |
Pacific Northwest based Bloodgood hit the scene in 1986 with the melodic metal of its very fine self-titled debut before following up a year later with the groundbreaking sophomore effort Detonation. The more well rounded effort when compared to Bloodgood, Detonation combines the bands traditional melodic metal sound (“Eat The Flesh”) with occasional moments that border on classic metal (“Vagrant People” and “Self-Destruction”) or even the blues (“Heartbeat (Of The City)”). The versatility of the bands songwriting skills, at the same time, can be found in a very well done power ballad (“Alone In Suicide”) in addition to a two track “rock opera” (“Crucify” and “Messiah”) that details the crucifixion and ultimate Resurrection of Christ. Another notable aspect to the recording is that it includes the only track (“Battle Of The Flesh”) off the bands 1985 Metal Missionaries cassette only demo not to appear on the self-titled debut.
Bloodgood continues to remain in top form musically, joining Les Carlson’s trademark raspy but melodic – at times operatic – vocal delivery with David Zaffiro’s fast fingered lead guitar work. (Check out his fiery soloing on “Vagrant People” and “Eat The Flesh”). Bassist Michael Bloodgood puts forth a resolute showing – the bass lines he lays down on “Heartbeat (Of The City)” are quite pronounced – and rounds out the rhythm section with newcomer Marking Welling on drums. Welling, who replaced the departed J.T. Taylor, delivers a technical style of playing that is every bit as tight as it is steady.
The production values to Detonation come across clean but slightly harsh. While all the instrumentation evenly stands out in the mix, the rhythm guitar could have been beefed up in places and the lead vocals backed off just a touch.
Originally released on Frontline Records back in 1987, Detonation was recently re-issued by the band. Please visit the official Bloodgood website – link located above – for ordering information.
Album opener “Battle Of The Flesh” gets underway to a blend of fast paced riffing and lightning-like lead work. Rushing through its verse portions with a ton of upbeat energy, the song culminates for a chorus repeating its title four straight times in aggressive fashion. Zaffiro polishes things off with a blistering guitar solo. “Battle Of The Flesh” talks about exactly that:
It's a battle of the flesh
With the rulers of the air
We have power in the Son
Power we can share
Introduced to a drum solo, “Vagrant People” moves forward to a double bass driven riff prior to obtaining a portentous chorus shored up by deep and dark sounding vocal harmonies. A nail biting guitar solo brings out the best in what is one of the albums more aggressive sounding tracks.
"Self-Destruction" maintains the fast paced momentum. A trade off between a recoiling rhythm guitar and pounding drums fortifies the song during its verse portions, the ardent scene upheld for a spirited chorus backed powerfully by double bass. “Self Destruction” talks about making the correct eternal decision:
Pathway to heaven or highway to hell
Which one you're on is easy to tell
Live for yourself, no time for the Son
Don't blame God for your own self-destruction
"Alone In Suicide" ranks with the finest metal ballads this reviewer has heard. The acoustic guitar opening the song evenly propels it ahead until the rhythm guitar kicks in strong and steady. Driven forward unwaveringly, “Alone In Suicide” evenly flows to a chorus in which a poignant setting is put into place. As its title implies, “Alone In Suicide” touches upon the issue of suicide:
Feel the knots twisting inside
As I look to the bullets to be my guide
In a razor's edge should I confide
To open my veins and bleed them dry
In the end, however, the song directs the lonely and hurting to the source of salvation:
Salvation calls to all of the lonely people
Tear down the walls, you've been abused
God gave His all to all of the lonely people
He stretched out his arms and died for you
The bluesy “Heartbeat (Of The City)” showcases one of the albums strongest melodies. A muscular bass line holds sway over the song during its first and second verse as the rhythm guitar fades in and out of the mix. Upon reaching its sweeping chorus, however, “Heartbeat (Of The City)” asks its listeners several relevant questions:
There’s no way out
You’re never gonna learn
You scream and shout!
Who ya gonna burn?
He’s come for you
What are you gonna do?
"Eat The Flesh" quickly fades in before a hard hitting riff prevails over its verse portions at a steadfast mid-tempo pace. Gaining impetus throughout its pre-chorus, the song crests for a catchy chorus in which angelic vocal harmonies play a prominent role. Zaffiro steps forward with a blistering guitar solo. Great song.
"Holy Fire" begins slowly to a bluesy rhythm guitar, Carlson’s raspy voice part of the mix at the songs onset as he repeats the phrase "Saved by His blood. Changed by His Word!" The song gradually builds momentum throughout its first verse before transitioning to a chorus of a straightforward but determined variety.
"Crucify" is a faster – almost speed metal influenced – track that details the circumstances leading to Christ’s crucifixion. The song jumps out of the gate to a double bass driven riff as Carlson plays the role of Pilate during its first verse:
Here is our king, you bring him to me?
I say, "Set him free!", you say you want him to die
He has done nothing, nothing, nothing
But you say, "Crucify! Crucify! Crucify!"
You act as though this man is inciting a rebellion
No one here can prove that to be true
I have examined Him in your presence
And have found no basis for your charges
Neither has Herod
So he sent him back to us as you can see
He's done nothing, nothing
Nothing to deserve the things you ask
I wash my hands of this man's blood!
“Crucify” briefly slows as the Roman soldiers mock Christ:
Hail King Of the Jews!
Prophecy! Who hit you?
Here's your crown
Regaining its up-tempo initiative, “Crucify” details the exchange between Pilate and the angry mob, moving forward in catchy fashion as the crowd shouts “Crucify!” three straight times:
Mob: Crucify! Crucify! Crucify!
Pilate: Why?
Mob: Crucify!
Pilate: Why?
Mob: Crucify!
Pilate: Why?
Mob: Crucify!
Pilate: Why?
The voice of Satan interjects as Pilate relents and gives in to the crowd’s demands:
Satan: Kill him
Pilate: All right
Satan: You've washed your hands, just kill him, Pilate
Pilate: All right! I wash my hands of this man's blood...take him!
As soon as “Crucify” abruptly ends, the melodic rock of “The Messiah” gently begins. Moving forward slowly and gently, “The Messiah” paints a picture of events following Christ’s death on the cross during its first verse:
Take Him down, take Him down
Move Him gently, hold His head
Wipe His face, clean the blood off
Lay Him here, wrap Him in this cloth
Picking up in pace for its emotionally charged chorus, the song does not culminate until reaching its final verse as the Resurrection is portrayed:
Don't be afraid, He has risen, He's not here
Why are you trembling with fear?
Just as He told you, just as He said
They could not stop Him, He is not dead!
“Live Wire”, an energy-laden number that can best be described as a two and a half minute explosion of adrenalin, joins Zaffiro’s fierily played soloing abilities with Welling’s predominate work on double bass. Good lyrical direction taken here as well:
His back is torn
With the agony of an open sore
His face is marred
The dried blood of an open scar
The gates of hell shall not prevail
‘Cause He’s torn the veil
A very fitting end to one of the finer albums in Bloodgood’s career.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Battle Of The Flesh” (2:45), “Vagrant People” (3:26), “Self-Destruction” (3:29), “Alone In Suicide” (4:04), “Heartbeat (Of The City) (3:25), “Eat The Flesh” (4:25), “Holy Fire” (3:10), “Crucify” (3:05), “The Messiah” (4:25), “Live Wire” (2:36)
Musicians
Les Carlson – Lead Vocals
David Zaffiro – Guitars
Michael Bloodgood – Bass
Mark Welling - Drums
Reference List
Johnson, Dave. "Bloodgood Interview." White Throne 2 (1987): 9-11.
Also Reviewed: Bloodgood - Bloodgood
