| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: Terry Shelton |
| Record Label: Frontline / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1988 / 2023 | Artist Website: Bloodgood |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 33:37 |
It would not be out of line to suggest each of the four eighties era Bloodgood albums bring unique traits to set them apart from the others. Frontline Records self-titled debut from 1986 is potentially the most versatile, with a heavier basis of traditional metal (“Demon On The Run” & “Killing The Beast”) but also touching upon bluesy metal (“What’s Following The Grave”) and speed metal (“Black Snake”). The album, however, finds Bloodgood also making forays into melodic metal (“Accept The Lamb”), melodic hard rock (“Stand in The Light”) and even worship metal (“Awake”). What one cannot deny is manner in which Bloodgood unveiled the group’s signature ‘thinking man’s metal’ sound in reference to its intelligent lyrical approach.
Sophomore effort Detonation (also Frontline) followed a year later and found Bloodgood upping heaviness in delivering what many consider one of the finer Christian metal releases of the era. Opening tracks “Battle Of The Flesh”, “Vagrant People” and “Self Destruction” manifests said newfound heaviness, while “Eat The Flesh” joins aspect of the forthright and melodic. Yet, a softer side to Bloodgood reveals on heartfelt ballad “Alone In Suicide” and blues tinged “Heartbeat (Of The City)”. Helping set Detonation apart is the eight minute ‘theatrical metal” to the speed metal based “Crucify” and melodic hard rock of “Messiah”, whom detail the crucifixion, death on the cross and resurrection of Christ.
Third album Rock In A Hard Place (Frontline) from 1988 could not differ more from its predecessors with an accessible joining of melodic metal and commercial hard rock. Problem as I see it is that due to Detonation setting the bar so high in terms of quality and musical direction, potential exists for fans to be disappointed. Hence, those expecting ‘Detonation II’ might be let down in similar fashion as those who are still waiting for Bride and Deliverance to record ‘Snakes In A Playground II’ and ‘Weapons Of Our Warfare II’, respectively.
In looking back at what critics of the time had to say, the Heaven’s Metal review to RIAHP described Bloodgood as
“(making) the transition from (an) on-the-edge metal band that shreds and rips to a marketable, hard rockin’ band with a ton of catchy hooks”.1 Likewise, Take A Stand had the right idea in suggesting, “Bloodgood has taken a rather dramatic turn musically in their latest release, moving away from hard metal tunes such as “Black Snake” and “Crucify” from previous works and opting for a more straightforward 80’s metal sound sure to reach a larger audience”.2 White Throne also effectively summarized, “On the musical side of the spectrum, we see a much mellower Bloodgood. Compared to Detonation, Rock In A Hard Place doesn’t belong on the same scale.”3
Where do I stand? On one hand, I agree RIAHP expands upon the Bloodgood fan base and adds another dimension to its sound, I also feel the group did not ‘sell out’ or go ‘commercial to a fault’, as potentially attributes to Stryper’s In God We Trust. On the other, whereas I understand RIAHP could not be more different compared to Detonation, Bloodgood has by no means forsaken its heavier ways in that RIAHP contains several tracks in which it flexes its metal muscles.
Opener “Shakin’ It” is one such cut, a flashy boogie flavored hard rocker propelled its short (2:54) span by a hammering rhythm section and knife-edge rhythm guitars fleetly darting in and out of the mix. Gist is a boisterous display reflecting the Bloodgood aptitude for hitting hard with the best of them. Maintaining the quality and guitar bases spirit is “Heaven On Earth”. This one exhibits abundant high-energy poise and character as accelerated riffs and non-stop hooks combine for nothing less than preeminent melodic me. Prevalent to the two are David Zaffiro’s fleet fingered (and very ably done) lead guitar work.
Also on the heavier side but a slight notch below the previous two (in my opinion) is “Do Or Die”, album fastest with its speed metal proclivity, agile guitar work and battering drum abilities of Mark Welling. Lone complaint, and forgive me for nit-picking, is how the song is abbreviated at just two and half minutes.
“Never Be The Same” finds Bloodgood lacing guitar driven proclivities with hints of the commercial. The song reveals an up-tempo form, excited with its expeditious demeanor but also lightening as keyboards and acoustic guitar underscore the immaculate backdrop. “The Presence” takes the commercial aspects to the next level in yielding a ton of heart and class. It decelerates impetus to mid-paced territory, as acoustic guitar plays a more prevalent role in complementing bluesy rhythm guitar and polished vocal melodies that adorn the august refrain.
“Seven” rates with my all time favorites from Bloodgood in joining equal parts heavy and commercial but separates in the form of theatrical progressive leanings. The song leaves immediate impression of a ballad, as piano ad orchestration carry its first minute and half prior to an explosion of metal-based guitars cutting in at once. Punctual bass driven verse section lead the way until procuring an exquisite refrain highlighting by its ‘God gave Jesus A Revelation’ lyrical imprint. Tying everything together are the raspy but emotional high-end vocals of Les Carlsen.
“She’s Gone” represents albums lone ballad and it is a good one, albeit (again, my opinion) it does not shine to quite the extent as Detonation ballad “”Alone In Suicide”. Acoustic guitar and crystalline piano create an orchestral effect, with lighter rhythm guitar later dancing its way to adorn the wistful scene. Also on the reserved side is “The World (Keeps Movin’ Around)” but taking a melodic hard rock heading with its basis of acoustic and earthy rhythm guitar allowing for an added up-tempo focus.
Lone song not to do it for me is “What Have I Done?”, a piece that despite the passing of over 30 years I never warmed up to. Perhaps it due to arriving on the heels of three great opening tracks, but I always found the song reserved to fault, or at the very least in my opinion lacking the energy and genius to albums better material. The mundane chorus does not help matters. It deserves note that this is my lone skip button of the four eighties Bloodgood albums, which equates to 36 good songs out of 37 (a 97.3% success rate). For those wondering, 1989 fourth Intense Records Bloodgood album Out Of The Darkness returns to a heavier direction akin to the first two, albeit standing apart with two lengthy and very well done ballads.
Good news is that in August of 2023 Rock In A Hard Place and Out Of The Darkness were re-mastered and re-issued on Retroactive Records. Rock In A Hard Place stands to improve most from re-mastering in that I always felt the original was cleanly mixed but lacked low-end presence. According to bassist Michael Bloodgood, the studio in which the group recorded RIAHP possessed a high degree of false low-end that producer Terry Shelton was not aware, a problem not caught in mixing or mastering. Re-mastering (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound), however, rectifies this in producing a thicker and weightier low end revealed in added bass presence and beefed up drums.
Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics) contributes the concise jewel case mini booklet home to lyrics and liner notes in an easy to read font over a complementary red background. RIAHP was initially re-issued in 2015 in the digi-pak format (also Retroactive).
As noted earlier, Bloodgood has gained a well-deserved ‘thinking man’s metal’ reputation from its intelligent lyrical approach, and RIAHP proves no exception. It starts with “Shakin’ It” from its tongue in cheek take on the televangelist scandals of the time:
He's a sinner thought he'd never be found
He got caught with his own pants down
Can't imagine how he must've felt
He should've tightened-up his Bible belt
“Seven”, as its title suggests, draws its prose from the Book of Revelation”:
God gave Jesus a revelation
And the Lord sent His angel to John
The faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead
The ruler of the kings of all the earth
The one who loves us and has freed us from our sins
His blood has washed clean and now He's coming
So shall it be, Amen
“The Presence” delivers a message of encouragement -
One on one I see Him always staring face to face
Closer, closer, always pulling towards His Holy grace
When I fall He's there to pick me up
With nail prints in His hands
In His blood that covers all around
I plea the righteous stand
Peace will roll on and on
His kingdom stands forever strong
The righteous words of praise to Him belong
- as does “The World (Keeps Movin’ Around)”:
He knows there's pain, but there is healing on His wings
His time's not come, but when it does we will sing
In His heart and in His eyes with every tear-drop He calls your name
And He says I want you home, my child
Til then, there'll be pain
And as the world keeps movin' around
You know His love can always be found
Within a beat of His heart the darkness must part
As the chains fall to the ground
Spiritual warfare is the topic of “Do Or Die”:
The bullet's flyin', the armor's on
Your shield is ready, your sword is drawn
The evil grows in the final hour
We'll slay the darkness with heaven's power
The world is calling you, don't lend an ear
No compromise, there's a way out of here
The Master's calling, down on your knees
He is your strength, and your victory
If in the mood for Bloodgood, I gravitate towards Bloodgood, Detonation and Out Of The Darkness (not necessarily in that order). As for Rock In A Hard Place, if I place it a notch below the preceding three it is a very close fourth place, almost a photo finish if you will when factoring quality to the groups back catalog. Overall, I support the group’s decision to pursue a more commercial direction in that Rock In A Hard Place produced its share of outstanding material. Any productions issues to the original not withstanding, they are rectified from the re-mastering to the Retroactive re-issue. Fans of Bloodgood and those into eighties melodic metal and hard rock are strongly encourage to make the re-issue a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
End Notes
1. Van Pelt, Doug. “Rock In A Hard Place review”. Heaven’s Metal 18 (1988): 29.
2. “Rock In A Hard Place review”. Take A Stand August 1988: 3.
3. Crothers, Kevin. “Rock In A Hard Place review. White Throne 5(1989)”: 15.
Track Listing: “Shakin’ It” (2:52), “Never Be The Same” (3:59), “The Presence” (3:29), “What Have I Done?” (3:41), “Heaven On Earth” (3:43), “Do Or Die” (2:21), “She’s Gone” (4:29), “World (Keeps Movin’ Around)” (4:09), “Seven” (4:47)
Musicians
Les Carlsen - Lead Vocals
David Zaffiro - Guitars
Michael Bloodgood - Bass
Mark Welling - Drums
