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Bloodshedd: Eye of the pessimist
26/06/09 || HailandKill
Yes, South East Asia does have a thriving death metal scene. It may not be that humongous, but it’s growing. Contributing to its growth are Bloodshedd from the Philippines, a quintet who’ve become a cult band of sorts since they debuted with “Eye of the Pessimist” in 2007.
Not screwing around with intros and other useless shit, “AD 36” arrives like a cloud of buzzing flies then shifts to brain screwing riffs driven by Jojo Book’s flaming vocals. That would be the best possible description of his growls here; they flame out of his mouth. If you could see Bloodshedd live he sounds even better. But that’s another story. And you probably can’t travel to the Philippines right now.
“Broken Mirror” introduces a little more catchiness to the band’s no-nonsense repertoire even as it burns a hole through your speakers. Allowing for a moment’s aside to explain their ferocity: Bloodshedd have been paying dues since 1996 and never expected to release a full length. Only fate dealt its cards in the band’s favor through a supportive indie label and “Shazam!!!” All the frustration from playing brutal music in shitty dives for no money has been poured into this album. The result is a fiery, pentagram emblazoned, labor of love.
But “Eye of the pessimist” deserves more than just a couple of spins for the listener to catch the subtlety and nuance Bloodshedd have carefully woven into the songs. When you least expect it, a saxophone enters the band’s glut of machinegun drums and buzzing guitars on “Unscathed”; then tracks like “Eye of the Pessimist”, “Dearborn“, and “Treacherous Ways” make for a numbing blur of music that’s pure scratchy riffs and brooding tempos.
As for the song “Relentless”, well, it’s just relentless. Yet there’s still ample room left for genuine heavy metal crunch on “No Words” and “Beyond Definition,” which has these Joey Belladona vocals from the guest singer sharing the mic with Jojo’s flamethrower vocals. Album closer “Mulat” is Bloodshedd’s token song in their native tongue. It’s here that they pull off the ultimate twist by putting a jazz interlude smack dab where the guitar solos should be, proving they have enough sophistication to go along with their otherwise primal sound.
A fucken death metal extravaganza for metalheads of every stripe. Don’t allow this album to grow old and sink in the obscurity swamp. Find a way to get a copy.
Or you’ll get punched in the cunt.
8 fire breathing frontmen out of 10.
- Information
- Released: 2007
- Label: Tower of Doom
- Website: www.bloodshedd.net
- Band
- Jojo Book: vocals
- Bong Ecat: guitar
- Bike Vinas: guitar
- MC Santiago: bass
- Toots Book: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. AD 36
- 02. Broken mirror
- 03. Eye of the pessimist
- 04. Dearborn
- 05. Treacherous ways
- 06. Relentless
- 07. Unscathed
- 08. No words
- 09. Beyond definition
- 10. Mulat
