Bloodletter – A Different Kind of Hell
Bloodletter – A Different Kind of Hell
Wise Blood Records
Release Date: 21/07/23
Running Time: 37:06
Review by Paul Hutchings
8/10
Their output has been predominantly EPs since their formation in 2012 but having given the new full-length from Chicago thrashers Bloodletter a go, it’s unsurprising. This is full-on thrash metal, worshipping at the altar of the Bay Area Circa 1989… and it’s as pleasing a thrash record as they come.
The instant comparison is undoubtedly Death Angel. That is predominantly due to Pete Carparelli’s uncanny similarity to Mark Osegueda in style, but this is no copycat band. Their brand of thrash doesn’t present anything particularly groundbreaking but what it does do is demonstrate that when thrash metal is played well, there are few genres in the metal world that can touch it.
The tracks are fast. Incredibly fast. Not one song makes it to four minutes, and despite a handsome 11 tracks, it’s over in under 40 minutes. That’s great, because you can go round again, and again, safe in the knowledge that it’ll rip your face off in double quick time. Opener ‘The Howling Dead’
is ideal. There’s no long intro, no suspense filled build-up, just a huge burst of machine gun riffing and high energy double time drumming. It’s frenetic, punishingly so at times, but so well executed that all you can do is bang your head and circle pit around the living room.
Such is the ferocity here that you may miss the melody that lurks underneath the snarling aural assault, but search deeper and it is most definitely there. At times Bloodletter cross into the blackened thrash territory, harmonised lead work screaming over the chaos beneath. It’s a blistering display which gets better on every play.
What may not be obvious is that “A Different Kind of Hell” is a concept album. Over to singer Carpaelli to explain. “The album is based on the journey of a lone adventurer, who eventually falls victim to a malevolent force. Each song relives a part of their nightmare and their descent into Hell.”
“Hell isn’t just a place,” he adds, “it’s a nightmare we all end up living. Our greatest fears can take any form and drive us mad. The story told on this record drives home the idea that our interpretation of Hell is different, but no less terrifying than anything we could all imagine.”
With that concept to grapple with, it makes this album just a bit grittier. The incredible pace of the shorter songs such as ‘Bound & Ravaged’ and the 1.5 minute blast of ‘Obsidian Offering’ show the technical side of the band, while every song here is superbly delivered. By the time you get to the finale of ‘Flesh Turned to Ash’ you should be breathless, but ultimately ready to go again. It’s an album you won’t tire of listening to. Sharp and incisive, Bloodletter’s third release is as good as any old school style thrash released this year.
TRACKLISTING:
01. The Howling Dead
02. Blood is Life
03. Bound & Ravaged
04. From Hell They Came
05. The Last Tomb
06. His Will Be Done
07. Obsidian Offering
08. To Darkness Damned
09. Lord of Pain
10. What Lies Beneath
11. Flesh Turned to Ash
LINE-UP:
Par Armamentos – Guitar
Zach Hudson – Drums
Tanner Hudson – Bass
Pete Carparelli – Vocals & Guitar
LINKS:
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