| Musical Style: Melodic Heavy Metal | Produced By: Michael Bloodgood, Les Carlson & David Zaffiro |
| Record Label: Frontline / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1987/2024 | Artist Website: Bloodgood |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 35:39 |
Frontline Records 1987 Bloodgood sophomore full length Detonation is one of the most iconic Christian metal albums of all time. Released in follow up to the groups 1986 self-titled debut (also Frontline), Detonation makes the same type of artistic and creative statement as equally renown classics of the time from Stryper (To Hell With The Devil), Deliverance (Weapons Of Our Warfare) and Bride (Snakes In The Playground). To understand its place in history, Detonation finished eighth in a Heaven’s Metal Magazine poll of the top 100 Christian metal albums of all time, while it placed fifteenth in a similar top 100 Poll at the Christian Metal Realm. An Angelic Warlord article outlining the top 50 Christian metal albums of the eighties ranked Detonation seventh.
Bloodgood traces to 1985 and its self-released custom cassette demo Metal Missionaries in which three of its four songs were re-recorded for the as noted debut: “Awake”, “Accept The Lamb” and “Anguish & Pain”. A highly regarded work in its own right, Bloodgood helped establish the talented Seattle, Washington based four-piece as one of the leading players in the burgeoning ‘white metal’ scene of the time. Fourth Metal Missionaries cut “Battle Of The Fresh” made its way onto Detonation, which finds Bloodgood taking the next step and hitting its stride from a musical standpoint.
Whereas Bloodgood diversified into melodic metal, AOR, traditional and speed metal, Detonation proves the heavier and more aggressive work by building upon the groups speed based tendencies in touching upon thrash metal. Yet, Detonation also finds Bloodgood staying true to its classic and melodic metal roots, while exploring its musical boundaries with excursions into ballad and even blues based territory. It works in that Detonation arguably features some of the finest songwriting to grace a Bloodgood album.
Detonation has been re-issued several times over the years, with the most recent tracing to February of 2024 and Retroactive Records as a Gold Disc Edition version (500 CD copies) to feature re-mastering from Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) and detailed 12-page booklet with original cover art attributing to Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics). A Gold Disc cardboard O-ring includes the classic image of the group ‘running out of the castle’ (the original back cover art).
When listened alongside the Frontline original, the Retroactive version presents with the cleaner sound revealed in a deeper low end, firmer rhythm guitar definition and better separation of drums and guitar leads. The Steinhaus re-mastering from the 2010 intense Millennium re-issue might also be an improvement over the original, but I also find its volume levels a bit high, resulting in a sound too bright for my taste. Overall, the Bombworks re-mastering in my opinion does the better job staying true to the original release. It also cannot be understated the vastly superior packaging to the Retroactive version compared to its Intense Millennium counterpart.
The as noted heavier and more aggressive side to Bloodgood reveals on albums three opening cuts beginning with “Battle Of The Flesh”. Song picks up where closing track “Black Snake” from the debut leaves-off: fast, heavy hitting and assertive as all get out. Three minutes of explosive energy, the song emphasizes guitarist David Zaffiro’s riffing with abandon and torrid impetus approaching speed based territory. Temptation is the subject at hand:
Pleasures of the flesh seem sweet
Worldly thoughts rush in
We fight and fight for mind control
Our weakness turns to sin
Pride of man makes him fall
And lust is in his eyes
Such a battle that we're in
Darkness feeds us lies, lies, lies
Evil forces of this world
Passions guide our way
Anger turns our hearts to stone
And robs the words we say
It's a Battle of the Flesh
With the rulers of the air
We have power in the Son
Power we can share
“Vagrant People” sustains the aggression but with a darker and weightier vibe. A rumbling, bottom heavy presence manifests such, as does a portent chorus shored up by swarthy backing vocals. I am reminded somewhat of “Killing The Beast” (also off the debut), albeit at the more forthright tempo.
“Self-Destruction” matches the testiness of its predecessors. Intense is the impression left, as the song maneuvers its span with sledgehammer guitars recoiling in and out of the mix and Mark Welling’s creative drumming lending a technical edge. “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!
When it's all over, your life is done
No more chances and no place to run
You judge yourself if you turn away
Let him in, do it, do it today
You think life is cheap, well I got some news
Jesus Christ paid a high price for you, yeah
Died a sinner's death, see what he's done
Don't blame God for your own Self-Destruction!
I identify with “Alone In Suicide” as a semi-ballad with a metal flair- and an excellent one at that! Song highlights an emotional proclivity - front man Les Carlsen’s signature raspy vocals aligns with the moving environs - but emanates the guitar driven muscle and time and tempo changes to remain fresh with repeat listen. “Alone In Suicide” addresses those having suicidal thoughts -
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
Oh, the endless pressure, how can I cope?
I try to release but the valves are broke
A psychotic grasp upon my throat
I wanna hang the rope!
- while offering a solution in return:
Salvation calls (to the lonely)
On the abused (redemption falls)
God have his all (that you might know him)
Tear down the walls! What have you got to lose?
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!
“Heartbeat (Of The City)” represents one of the overlooked gems in Bloodgood’s repertoire. What we have is a slow and moody cut, distinguished with its notable melody and Michael Bloodgood’s eminent bass line but also bluesy in terms of the shuffling guitar presence and earthly feel to hold sway.
Albums second half starts to the joining of the heavy and melodic that is “Eat The Flesh”. Hard charging verse sections with traditional metal guitars and keyed up timekeeping point to former and catchy refrain emanating a choir-like angelic flair the latter. Zaffiro tops things off with a blistering lead guitar stretch. Lyrics revolve around observing Communion:
Battle worn His flesh is torn and bleeding
Eternal life comes through the souls God's feeding
Words of peace are met with screaming bullets
Now you're looking through a soldier's eyes
Mighty words He spoke to us in Spirit
For He's come to give us life
Share the Bread and Living Water
Eat the Flesh, drink the blood of Christ
“Holy Fire” takes a straightforward metal heading mixed with bluesy signatures. The song highlights slower and driving moments bottom heavy as it gets (opening seconds border upon the doom-like) but picks up at once for a spirited refrain shored up by polished backing vocals (resonating of the commercial). What we have is another underrated song in the groups back catalog.
“Crucify” and “Messiah” combine for eight minutes of theatrical metal detailing the crucifixion, death on the cross and ultimate resurrection of Christ. Upshot is some of the most defining moments in Christian metal history.
“Crucify” is heavier of the two with its faster tempo and speed based riff focus. Song storms out of the gate in animated fashion as Carlsen plays the role of Pilate for the 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 initiative, “Crucify” details the exchange between Pilate and the angry mob, as the crowd shouts “Crucify!’ three times straight:
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!
“The Messiah” gently begins once “Crucify” abruptly ends. It takes a slower, more melodic heading, painting a picture of events subsequent to Christ’s death on the cross for 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 (almost worshipful) refrain, “The Messiah” culminates for its closing 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!
Lone song to come into question is closer “Live Wire”, a fast-paced number clocking in at just two and half minutes. Not that it is in any way bad, but it has always impressed me as incomplete or half-done as it the band added it to fill the album to ten songs when more time could have been spent developing it. My point is that for Detonation, Bloodgood was on fire songwriting wise and should have allowed such momentum carry over to any potential tenth or eleventh song.
It would be an understatement to suggest Detonation has garnered its share of respect from fans and critics alike. I rank it alongside fourth album Out Of The Darkness (1989) as my favorite of the groups earlier releases with Bloodgood a close second. Rock In A Hard Place, a fine work in its own right, rounds things out at third. Of course, a good measure of the Detonation success attributers to the high level of talent gracing the Bloodgood roster. If you missed Detonation back in the day or looking for an upgrade to the Intense Millennium release, then make the consummate Retroactive re-issue a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Battle Of The Flesh” (2:44), “Vagrant People” (3:47), “Self-Destruction” (3:33), “Alone In Suicide” (4:03), “Heartbeat (Of The City) (3:28), “Eat The Flesh” (4:02), “Holy Fire” (3:12), “Crucify” (3:08), “The Messiah” (4:40), “Live Wire” (2:36)
Musicians
Les Carlson - Lead Vocals
David Zaffiro - Guitars
Michael Bloodgood - Bass
Mark Welling - Drums
