BLOODSTRIKE
“NECROBIRTH”
Self Released
“NECROBIRTH” is the digitally released first demo from BLOODSTRIKE, a Death
Metal band from Denver, Colorado. Formed just three short years ago, BLOODSTRIKE
have just recently released their first full length “IN DEATH WE ROT” on
REDEFINING DARKNESS RECORDS. To the task at hand…In this three song demo,
I see a lot of the early 1990s (primarily) East Coast, US darkened, Death Metal sound
embodied by bands like (early) IMMOLATION, BAPHOMET and SIN EATER.
Essentially an awesome cross section of the US Death Metals bands on the SERAPHIC
DECAY RECORDS roster (circa 1990) and those bands, so honorably, collected on the
PSYCHOSLAUGHTER compilation tapes. The fact that it's so easy to honestly
reference the whole of the early Death Metal scene from New York out through Illinois
makes sense. BLOODSTRIKE, within it's ranks, have Rhiannon who has spent time in
all sorts of US Death Metal bands like AVERNUS, ACHERON and of
corpse…Pittsburgh’s own DERKETA, among others. One of the greatest atrocities
perpetrated against real Death Metal were advancements in studio production. The sound
of a band of 16 years olds, recording their first and second demos on an 8 track at their
guitar teacher’s house, for me, was always preferable to what came out after they were
signed and recording in “proper” studios. That cryptic, cold, hollow production of demos
by bands like DERKETA, INCANTATION and GOREAPHOBIA and thinking outside
the box to MORBID ANGEL, NECROVORE and SLAUGHTERLORD all reeked of
Death. Before you even start to write the music, you’re already on your way. The best
thing I’m taking away from this 3 track demo is that they didn't take a lot of pains to beef
up the production, from what I can see anyways, and the sound is eerily representative of
the GOOD old days. As a tape trader who still avidly collects and continues to be
fascinated with the music from the period and location (early 1990s Northeast US Death
Metal). I would hope that BLOODSTRIKE would keep this sound and not go out of
their way to move up the “production-quality ladder”, as the sound on this is damned near
prefect. On the whole, BLOODSTRIKE’s “NECROBIRTH” demo is a fine example that
the glories of the past can be recaptured. Any questions can please be directed to track #3
“Serpent Son” for proof. Furthermore, the production is perfect and very authentic to the
time in musical history I’m comparing BLOODSTRIKE’s sound to. I for one would
certainly be interested in checking out their full length. For me “NECROBIRTH” couldn't
be a better advertisement for it.
www.facebook.com/BLOODSTRIKEmetal
- Reviewed by Keith Dempe
“NECROBIRTH”
Self Released
“NECROBIRTH” is the digitally released first demo from BLOODSTRIKE, a Death
Metal band from Denver, Colorado. Formed just three short years ago, BLOODSTRIKE
have just recently released their first full length “IN DEATH WE ROT” on
REDEFINING DARKNESS RECORDS. To the task at hand…In this three song demo,
I see a lot of the early 1990s (primarily) East Coast, US darkened, Death Metal sound
embodied by bands like (early) IMMOLATION, BAPHOMET and SIN EATER.
Essentially an awesome cross section of the US Death Metals bands on the SERAPHIC
DECAY RECORDS roster (circa 1990) and those bands, so honorably, collected on the
PSYCHOSLAUGHTER compilation tapes. The fact that it's so easy to honestly
reference the whole of the early Death Metal scene from New York out through Illinois
makes sense. BLOODSTRIKE, within it's ranks, have Rhiannon who has spent time in
all sorts of US Death Metal bands like AVERNUS, ACHERON and of
corpse…Pittsburgh’s own DERKETA, among others. One of the greatest atrocities
perpetrated against real Death Metal were advancements in studio production. The sound
of a band of 16 years olds, recording their first and second demos on an 8 track at their
guitar teacher’s house, for me, was always preferable to what came out after they were
signed and recording in “proper” studios. That cryptic, cold, hollow production of demos
by bands like DERKETA, INCANTATION and GOREAPHOBIA and thinking outside
the box to MORBID ANGEL, NECROVORE and SLAUGHTERLORD all reeked of
Death. Before you even start to write the music, you’re already on your way. The best
thing I’m taking away from this 3 track demo is that they didn't take a lot of pains to beef
up the production, from what I can see anyways, and the sound is eerily representative of
the GOOD old days. As a tape trader who still avidly collects and continues to be
fascinated with the music from the period and location (early 1990s Northeast US Death
Metal). I would hope that BLOODSTRIKE would keep this sound and not go out of
their way to move up the “production-quality ladder”, as the sound on this is damned near
prefect. On the whole, BLOODSTRIKE’s “NECROBIRTH” demo is a fine example that
the glories of the past can be recaptured. Any questions can please be directed to track #3
“Serpent Son” for proof. Furthermore, the production is perfect and very authentic to the
time in musical history I’m comparing BLOODSTRIKE’s sound to. I for one would
certainly be interested in checking out their full length. For me “NECROBIRTH” couldn't
be a better advertisement for it.
www.facebook.com/BLOODSTRIKEmetal
- Reviewed by Keith Dempe
