THE BLUE COLLAR ARMY “Norrland”

Ladysnow Society, 2018

Music: Post Metal

Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheBlueCollarArmy/

Duration: 47:00 minutes (11 tracks)

Country: Sweden

Black Metal is no longer face paints and scary outfits. It’s about taking it to the edge and experimenting and incorporating genres to it so that the result is chaotic yet “Atmospheric”. With all honesty, I really do care more about the music than the horrifying imagery. Having been getting into the genre, I really do like how much I have come. Starting from the Mayhem’s debut, my interest aligned more towards the melodic offshoot, Atmo Black. Filosofem was the one that changed my mind and I still listen to the songs. The point is, Black metal need not to be Kvlt enough for people to like. Deafheaven, even though they “ain’t Kvlt enough”, I do like their sound.

My love for Atmo Black has got me into a lot of bands. The newer band that I found was The Blue Collar Army. Their latest offering, Norrland came up in my Bandcamp recommendation. Their sound is distinctive and extreme. They kinda sound like an offshoot hardcore punk band integrating soulful theatrics and melodies to hinder the grindy sound of blast. The instrumentation is focussed mainly on melody where the vocalist takes the entire sound to a whole new level with screaming vocals, almost similar to the ones you hear on an Atmo Black album.

Soulful yet angst-filled, I’m beginning to enjoy their sound and my main focus is one them melodies. Vocals though, I have a lot of bands doing the same, the instrumentation is no doubt, the hero for me. The intro track was eerie and unconventional so I thought the entire album would be as such. But the band included blissful melody among which I’m really digging the Sympho vibes.

Great effort by Great Bunch of musicians. I really am looking forward to see a matured form of Blue Collar Army. They have started their journey well and I hope they reach till horizon. Decent effort on this album and I really would like them take their music to a whole new level on the sophomore.

Line-up:

The Englishman – Guitar
The Old Man – Drums
The Party Bear – Scream
The Pig – Guitar
Baron von Horst – Bass

Tracklist:

1. Welcome to NORRLAND
2. Aurora
3. BD
4. This is the link between the past and the future
5. Intermission
6. This is KVAD
7. AC
8. We will burn your cities to the ground
9. Hostis humani generis
10. 1889-1906
11. End

Rate: 8.5/10