| Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock | Produced By: Phillip Vincent |
| Record Label: Broken Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1991 | Artist Website: Bloodgood |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 49:37 |
The September of 1991 Broken Records fifth Bloodgood album All Stand Together is essentially a more commercial version to the group’s 1988 Frontline Records third album Rock In A Hard Place. Whereas Bloodgood got its start in a (mostly) straightforward metal heading on its Frontline Records first two albums Bloodgood and Detonation from 1986 and 1987, respectively, Rock In A Hard Place found the group tempering its sound for an accessible joining of melodic metal and hard rock. A transition back to a heavier direction ensued in 1988 with Out Of The Darkness ahead of Bloodgood signing with Broken Records for All Stand Together.
Back in the day, I expected Bloodgood to maintain the forthright momentum of Out Of The Darkness, but on All Stand Together the group takes said tempering to the next level by delivering its most polished effort to date. Yes, Rock In A Hard Place placed emphasis on the Bloodgood melodic side, but it still stayed true to the group’s metal roots. Not so much on All Stand Together in that any previous metal burnishing end up bereft from the Bloodgood songwriting and supplanted with a groundwork of melodic hard rock and AOR. Gist is manner in which guitars do not hit quite as hard on preceding albums, while greater use is made of keyboards.
It works exceedingly well on the better All Stand Together material, beginning with stunner “S.O.S.”. What we have is an inspiring four minutes, yielding the up-tempo as groove driven flourishes play a lead role and precise guitars flow in and out of the mix but stylish in terms of the keyboards to play up the resounding melody to command. Front man Les Carlsen remains in fine form with his at times raspy and others high-end vocal style. Lyric snippet:
Glory to the King of Kings
Power to the Lord we sing
Forever and ever
Cyclone, the tempest comes at last
Man is finally put to his shame
White throne, fury of the King
Judgment comes because of His name
Albums title track ensues in sustaining the quality, albeit slowing momentum. With a mid-paced anthem like mentality prevailing, “All Stand Together” entices with its immediately accessible hooks (noting the shouted backing vocals for the distinguished refrain) and catchy riff distinctions (referencing Paul Jackson’s precise guitar work). Albums crystal clear production - by far the finest from Bloodgood - stands out in the process.
“Escape From The Fire” begins to an AOR style keyboard solo ahead of the upbeat tempo to hold sway its distance. Gritty guitars and weighty low end proceed to dominate, further building upon the catchy hooks to touch upon the commercial and smoothly flowing sentiments of a pristine nature. No, this one is not heavy in a metal sense but assertive all the same. Lyric snippet:
Your hands are tied behind you
Even though there is no rope
Your friends, they all despise you
But there’s one who gives you hope
He’s the one who stands before you
Even though you’re in the dark
With His light He will explore you
An He’ll cleanse your blackened heart
With accapella vocals to start, “Out Of Love” grinds to lower register bluesy vestiges for its earthy verse sections but elevates as keyboards take over for the scintillating ‘out of love, out of compassion’ refrain. Instrumentally, cowbell briefly takes over prior to Jackson stepping forward with a stretch of flashy lead guitar.
“Kingdom Come” begins to swirling keyboards ahead of turning into a vibrant hard rocker. Guitars plunging in and out of the mix propel the forthcoming scene as refined vocal melodies make periodic (and quite flattering) appearance. The technical bass acumen of Michael Bloodgood and heavy hitting drummer David Huff lend further value. Lyric snippet:
Get ready to go
Get ready to leave
To be ready for judgment
You must believe
Get down on your knees
Put your face to the floor
Are you ready
Now the day is done
Are you ready for the kingdom
Kingdom to come
“Fear No Evil” carries over the high energy sensibilities. It lends an emotional edge, decelerating (even if slightly) for the bristling guitar edges for the poignant verse sections only to regain the focused form for the equally poignant refrain. The scintillating lead guitar at the mid-point gives way to a short stretch of acapella vocals.
“Rounded Are The Rocks” rates with albums heaviest (and best). Song is one of few to approach metal territory, revealed in the dominant guitar backbone to speak of the staunchly woven all the while vibrant keyboards dance in the backdrop. The choir like vocal melodies over the final half point to Stryper. Lyric snippet:
Pounding is the heart that beats alone
Inside the soul surrounded
By a man’s emotion and his thoughts
While flesh and blood keep breathing
Life out of the air provided
By the highest power sighted
Sitting at the right of glory
Have you ever heard the story?
Of the albums four ballads I take to “Lies In The Dark” the best. It impresses as a haunting Scorpions style hard rock ballad, drifting acoustically over its first minute in upholding a darker resonance but elevating force at key moments as rhythm guitar cuts in to elevate the pronounced melody. I rate this one alongside other top Bloodgood ballads “Alone In Suicide” (Detonation) and “Top Of The Mountain” & “Changing Me” (both Out Of The Darkness).
Album returns to up-tempo territory with “Streetlight Dancer”. Initially thought is of another ballad with the acoustic opening but a heavy rocking turn soon takes over, as found in the muscular guitars and every bit focused bass to combine for an added assertive statement. The ever-present Bloodgood vocal melodies and soothing keyboards contrast with a lightening effect. Lyric snippet:
Homeless, delinquent, defenses
Surrounding his real feelings and personality
Not shaven, not clean, a sideline player
You know what I mean
Sonata, no lyric to his music
It's a crime, it's a down right shame
It's a dirty deal in a crooked game
It's a lie and he's not to blame
He's a victim that's just been framed
Albums three remaining ballads are only songs I skip. It is not that “Say Goodbye”, “Help Me” and “I Want To Live In Your Heart” is bad per se, but rather I do not find them to fit with remainder of the All Stand Together material. With string accompaniments, acoustic guitar and keyboards, the three take a rock approach, which contrasts with the albums decided hard rock slant. If keyed up with a bit of rhythm guitar along lines of “Lies In The Dark” perhaps I might be more open minded but otherwise I pass.
Of the five prime Bloodgood studio albums, I might not rank All Stand Together highest, but it is solid all the same. Credit the group for taking a risk by headlining into territory more commercial in comparison to past efforts. That said, it works in light of the strong songwriting (9 good songs out of 12 in my opinion) and what is by far the finest Bloodgood production (up to this point). Core of Les Carlsen, Michael Bloodgood and Paul Jackson put in strong performances as always. It is too bad over twenty years would pass before we would hear from Bloodgood again (noting 2013’s Dangerously Close). Main objective moving forward is for All Stand Together to be re-issued.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “S.O.S.” (3:54), “All Stand Together” (4:20), “Escape From The Fire” (4:28), “Out Of Love” (3:39), “Say Goodbye” (3:42), “Kingdom Come” (4:13), “Fear No Evil” (3:48), “Help Me” (4:21), “Rounded Are The Rocks” (4:11), “Lies in The Dark” (4:51), “Streetlight Dancer” (3:55), “I Want To Live In You Heart” (4:31)
Musicians
Les Carlson - Lead Vocals
Paul Jackson - Guitars
Michael Bloodgood – Bass
Additional Musicians
David Huff - Drums
Tim Heintz - Keyboards
