| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Terry Shelton |
| Record Label: Intense / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1989 / 2023 | Artist Website: Bloodgood |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 40:55 |
There is no question Out Of The Darkness, the 1989 Intense Records fourth full-length album from Bloodgood, represents a heavier return to form for the revered Seattle, Washington based four piece. To accurately access Out Of The Darkness, one must first understand the context of its release subsequent to 1988’s Rock In A Hard Place, which found Bloodgood distancing from the straightforward metal of its first two albums, Bloodgood (1986) and Detonation (1987), for a more commercial bearing rooted in melodic metal and hard rock. The change in musical direction proved successful, with Bloodgood adding another dimension to its already well-rounded sound and expanding upon its extensive fan base in the process.
Similar to many I embraced Rock In A Hard Place as a creative change of pace but also could not help but long for the more guitar driven ways of Bloodgood’s past. Enter Out Of The Darkness, which proved the perfect album at the perfect time by meeting fan expectations for a heavier aptitude in similar fashion as Stryper when it transitioned from the polished In God We Trust (1988) to the rawer Against The Law (1990). A change in musical direction, however, did not come without change to the Bloodgood line-up in that founding guitarist David Zaffiro and Detonation and Rock In A Hard Place drummer Mark Welling were replaced by Paul Jackson and Kevin Whisler on guitar and drums, respectively.
Jackson has been associated with Bloodgood since the groups inception, noting his co-writing credits on classic tracks “Demon On The Run”, “Crucify” and “Seven”, while Whisler joined Bloodgood following a stint with Watchmen in which he participated on 1989 melodic hard rock and AOR debut Generation. The two make an immediate impact on albums powerful opening title track, revealed in the jolting drum solo to start ensued by the forthright rhythm guitar to carry the distance. “Out Of The Darkness” otherwise proves a metal anthem with its elevated tempo and impassioned underpinnings to set the inspired tone for the better material to follow.
“Hey! You” further realizes the newfound Bloodgood heavier aspect, delivering a rumbling low end and bluesy guitar signatures in equal portions. Michael Bloodgood’s palpitating bass stands out according, particularly for the curtly done “Hey! Hey you!” refrain. Gist is an early Van Halen meets Guardian vibe that helps to rank “Hey! You” among albums finer tracks.
“Mad Dog World” hits every bit hard. Starting appropriately to a backdrop of barking dogs, song decelerates to the mid-paced as Jackson puts on a clinic with his cutting guitar riffs (that pulsate in and out of the mix) and blistering guitar leads (which prove more than a match for the capable Zaffiro). A similar type of bluesy driven groove that defines “Hey! You” makes every bit the pronounced statement.
Each of the three previous Bloodgood albums includes a choice speed metal barnburner, including “Black Snake” (Bloodgood), “Crucify” (Detonation) and “Do Or Die” (RIAHP). Said Out Of The Darkness piece is “New Age Illusion”, albums shortest at three and half minutes but also most relentless with intense momentum carrying its span and forcefully driven chorus exclaiming “Jesus, call on Jesus!. Look what He’s done for me!”
Many of the melodic aspects to Rock In A Hard Place realize on Out Of The Darkness. “Let My People Go” manifests such, as impenetrable front to back harmonies stand alongside a compelling refrain and verse sections that embolden with the best of them. Likewise, “America” draws upon classy melodic metal with its emphasizing of astringent accessibility and anointed emotional overtures. Former plays upon stauncher groove based elements and latter opening vocal melodies drawing upon “America The Beautiful”.
Speaking of the melodic, Out Of The Darkness features a pair of first-rate ballads in “Top Of The Mountain” and “Changing Me” in the six-minute range. Former is heavier of the two, reflective as acoustic guitar and keyboards adorn the moving scene but worshipful as impermeable rhythm guitar periodically makes an inspired statement. Latter takes a lighter approach in highlighting an acoustic basis but intermingled with orchestration and distant rhythm guitar for the instrumental moments. Inherent to the pair are the emotional qualities to front man Les Carlsen, who with his high end but raspy vocal style is one of the unique performers within the hard music community.
Lone track to not do it for me is “It’s Alright”, which is well ‘all right” in that while not skip worthy, I rate a notch below remainder of albums material. Problem is that as a mid-paced hard rocker it meshes with neither the up-tempo metal cuts nor the slower ballads in ultimately struggling to find its identity within the track listing. It Bloodgood had replaced it with two more on the same level as the other eight it would have a classic on its hands.
On Out Of The Darkness, Bloodgood maintains its well-deserved reputation for creating ‘thinking man’s metal’ from its intelligent lyrics approach. “Top Of The Mountain” deals with the power and necessity of prayer in this capacity:
I remember when you came knocking at my door
I wouldn't let you in
I kept hiding but you kept trying
And now my life is so much more
I will climb to the top of the mountain on my knees
Just to be with you
I will ride on the wings of the wind
'Cause I believe, I believe in You
As its title suggests, “New Age Illusion” exposes the lies of the New Age Movement:
Straight from Hell, tongue of deception
With their words mystify they are breeding a lie
To deceive you
Dancers dream, new age illusion
'Cause it's only a whim you'll be out on a limb
Can't look back
Don't let those demons haunt you, they'll run if you pray
Don't let this witchcraft blind, turn you away
“Out Of The Darkness” encourages the believer in times of trial:
My God how long will you forget me
O Lord I need to see your face
The enemy has come against me
He laughs at me, prepared to slay
Yet I will trust in You, Lord, my heart will sing
I'll wait to hear your voice God, you'll hear me scream
Out of darkness into the light
See the demons flee
Out of darkness into the light
Jesus, set me free
The group makes a statement of faith on “Changing Me”:
Turn on light in the dark, I can't see
I can't taste what I'm eating
The earth is being tread upon and bled upon
Blood dripping to the sea
He holds the world in His hand
He took the keys and showed us His plan
He is the One who brought me down to my knees
As with many albums from its era, Out Of The Darkness went out of print and turned into a hard to find collectors item. Good news is that in August of 2023 Retroactive Records re-mastered (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) and re-issued Out Of The Darkness in the jewel case format. A multi-page mini booklet (attributing to Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics) features lyrics and liner notes in an easy to read font along with a montage of vintage concert photos. Re-mastering improves upon the original with a cleaner sound allowing for a more pronounced low end (elevated bass and crisper symbols) and rhythm guitars home to a weightier feel (not to mention much better defined leads). Out Of The Darkness was previously re-issued in 2015 in the digi-pak format (also Retroactive).
I rank Out Of The Darkness alongside Bloodgood and Detonation as my favorite eighties era Bloodgood albums. Rock In A Hard Place places a close second. Helping set Out Of The Darkness apart is manner in which its material does such a good job of holding up under the test of time. Album breaks down to simmering straight on metal cuts and classic six minute ballads that form a near perfect union that cannot help but force you to return time and again. Lone constructive commentary is that cover art is on the plain side, and the album could use an additional song or two. That said long-term Bloodgood fans (not to mention those into traditional and melodic metal) are strongly encouraged to make the Retroactive re-issue with its improved re-mastering and packaging a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Out of the Darkness" (3:43), "Let My People Go" (4:09), "America" (4:04), "It's Alright" (3:44), "Top Of the Mountain" (6:30), "Hey! You" (4:04), "Mad Do World" (4:24), "Changing Me" (6:38), "New Age Illusion" (3:18)
Musicians
Les Carlson - Lead Vocals
Paul Jackson - Guitars
Michael Bloodgood - Bass
Kevin Whistler - Drums
