BONDED BY BLOOD „“Feed the Beast””

Music: Thrash
Country: U.S.A.
Web site: www.myspace.com/bondedbyblood
Cool Songs: Civil Servant, Immortal Life, Self Immolation

It feels like 1986 again in the major cities of southern and northern California. Just like the golden days of thrash, Los Angeles and San Francisco are again flying the flag of the style that poured the foundation for extreme metal. This “New Wave of Thrash” sticks with the conventions of the groups that started this style over three decades ago, yet incorporates elements from many scenes, not just the Bay Area and So Cal. One of the newest sensations in this movement takes pride in their influences. One glance at the group’s name, BONDED BY BLOOD, easily reveals the group’s main influence.

Anyone with a teaspoon amount of knowledge concerning thrash knows BONDED BY BLOOD was the classic, debut album by EXODUS. BONDED BY BLOOD appear inspired by the group that introduced Kirk Hammett to the world. Vocalist Jose “Aladdin” Barrales has the same kind of gnarly snarl as Steve `Souza of Exodus. Many of the guitar riffs feature similar string work to the great Gary Holt. The group gives Barrales a helping hand during choral arrangement, chiming in with group chants.

Just like other newcomers to this scene, BBB are no clones. The group’s extended guitar solos and leads bring to mind METALLICA, MEGADETH and even MERCYFUL FATE. Barrales even raises his vocals to a slightly higher pitch on the title track to don a vocal style like Chuck Billy of TESTAMENT. Also, the group often relates a DESTRUCTION-type riffing style.

Pace-wise BBB ranges from all-out-chaotic speed to mid paced, chugging grooves. Songs are composed well, often seeing the band move from a lead, one-guitar rhythm to the group stepping in to hammer their instruments onto a melodic solo and finally all coming together for the verse. “Psychotic Pulse” is one of the better composed tracks, showing the group provide plenty of fills to sharp guitar riffing.

Lyrically, they expound on a wide array of topics from political (“Civil Servant”) to inner conflict (“Tempting Voices” and “Self Immolation”) to science fiction (“Another Disease”) and fun tracks like “Theme from The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Hearing the latter track done in thrash mode brings a new twist to the cartoon praised by thrash icons like ANTHRAX. BBB plays the music, note-for-note, but speeds it up. They also assume the voices of the turtles saying dude-loaded, righteous statements like “totally, dude” and “cowabunga, dude!”

There is something about thrash that when done well, always comprises an enjoyable listen. Although groups like BONDED BY BLOOD share commonalities with groups that established this sound over twenty years ago, they always deliver a good time. There were many throwaway acts the first time. That doesn’t seem to be the case this time. I have yet to hear a new school thrash act that I didn’t like. BONDED BY BLOOD is no exception.

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1. Immortal Life
2. Feed the Beast
3. Psychotic Pulse
4. Necropsy
5. Mind Pollution
6. Another Disease
7. The Evil Within
8. Tormenting Voices
9. Civil Servant
10. Self Immolation
11. Vengeance
12. Theme From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Total playing time 41:52

Line-up

Jose “Aladdin” Barrales – Vocals
Alex Lee – Guitar
Juan Boogie – Guitar
RuDo – Bass
Carlos Cervesa – Drums