Blood Storm
Pestilence from the Dragonstar
[Soul Sold]
Blood Storm seems to be a band that nobody can form a consistent opinion of. Formed in 1994 by Mezzadurus in Philadelphia, U.S., this duo released two demos that grabbed some well-deserved acclaim in the underground and then proceeded to storm Milwaukee Metalfest in 1996. The enthusiastic response led to several consecutive appearances and the launch of their debut on Cacophonous in 1997 entitled The Atlantean Wardragon.
The reaction to this was wide-spread and completely varied. Some shunned the album, claiming that Blood Storm's weak production and uninteresting songs paled in comparison to a chaotic live show. Others embraced it, calling it a perfect black/death blend with several thrash elements that made the live shortcomings look very apparent. In the midst of the confusion, the band put out a collection of demos in 1999 called Death by the Stormwizard, and the anarchy deepened.
Suddenly many of the fans that had been turned off by the tighter setting of Wardragon found new appeal in re-instated raw glory. Of course, others clung to the first album, saying that the band had taken a step backward. Others still claimed that the brutality of the band's live show could never be captured by the studio, and the final party simply loved everything that Blood Storm was doing.
In the year 2000, Blood Storm grabbed the entire fucking fan base and flipped it on its side by releasing Pestilence of the Dragonstar, an album which not only unites the clans but simultaneously destroys all of the close-minded morons running around and bitching about evolution. The infernal aggression here is ugly enough to sustain the rawest and most vicious fanatics while the proficiency is deep enough to absorb those in the tighter environment. Blood Storm has essentially blown away two formally great full-lengths in all aspects.
The vocals are harsh and the drums are blazing, driving a black/speed attack that reminds many of Goatlord era Darkthrone. Celtic Frost and Possessed are obviously major influences as well, or even Sodom in the band's more thrash-filled moments. The production is somewhat thick but layered with treble, perfect for capturing the raw feeling while not overshadowing it. Every track is a highlight.
Blood Storm have climbed to the top of the U.S. black metal hierarchy. Absolutely mandatory.
© 2001 hando
The reaction to this was wide-spread and completely varied. Some shunned the album, claiming that Blood Storm's weak production and uninteresting songs paled in comparison to a chaotic live show. Others embraced it, calling it a perfect black/death blend with several thrash elements that made the live shortcomings look very apparent. In the midst of the confusion, the band put out a collection of demos in 1999 called Death by the Stormwizard, and the anarchy deepened.
Suddenly many of the fans that had been turned off by the tighter setting of Wardragon found new appeal in re-instated raw glory. Of course, others clung to the first album, saying that the band had taken a step backward. Others still claimed that the brutality of the band's live show could never be captured by the studio, and the final party simply loved everything that Blood Storm was doing.
In the year 2000, Blood Storm grabbed the entire fucking fan base and flipped it on its side by releasing Pestilence of the Dragonstar, an album which not only unites the clans but simultaneously destroys all of the close-minded morons running around and bitching about evolution. The infernal aggression here is ugly enough to sustain the rawest and most vicious fanatics while the proficiency is deep enough to absorb those in the tighter environment. Blood Storm has essentially blown away two formally great full-lengths in all aspects.
The vocals are harsh and the drums are blazing, driving a black/speed attack that reminds many of Goatlord era Darkthrone. Celtic Frost and Possessed are obviously major influences as well, or even Sodom in the band's more thrash-filled moments. The production is somewhat thick but layered with treble, perfect for capturing the raw feeling while not overshadowing it. Every track is a highlight.
Blood Storm have climbed to the top of the U.S. black metal hierarchy. Absolutely mandatory.
© 2001 hando