TARDY BROTHERS „“Bloodline””

Music: Death Metal
Country: U.S.A.
Web site: http://www.tardybrothers.com/
Cool songs: Deep Down, Wired, Scream Descendent

OBITUARY’s name is legendary in the field of death metal. The group was one of the forefathers of Florida death metal, and death metal in general. When OBITUARY’s popularity peaked in the early nineties, one could rely on the group serving as a gateway band to death metal’s deviant pleasures. Band founders and brothers, John and Donald Tardy have kept this death metal groove machine running through three decades. Now with “Bloodline,” the two brothers have hooked up again but this time with a band bearing their last name.

Contrary to the band’s name, the Tardy’s don’t play every instrument. John unleashes his venomous snarl, as usual. However, Donald plays bass and additional guitars to compliment his normal drumming duties. The Tardy boys also bring in guest musicians. Familiar faces from the OBITUARY camp, Jerry Tidwell and Ralph Santolla provide additional guitar riffs, solos, and in the case of Santolla—acoustic guitar. Santolla, who also plays with DEICIDE, entered OBITUARY for their last release, “Xecutioner’s Return.” Tidwell played with the group during their pre-OBITUARY, XECUTIONER days.

As one would assume, musically the TARDY BROTHERS project shares aspects of their full time band. “Fade Away” and “Eternal Lies” feature the mid tempo, CELTIC FROST emulation found on any OBITUARY album. The influx of guitar solos and old school metal tinge are what separates “Bloodlines” from an OBITUARY album. Bringing in numerous guitarists, four in all, proved a wise choice by the two. By incorporating several guitarists, the album receives a variety of guitar styles, most particularly solos. Santolla’s acoustic guitar parts create a melodic perspective on their sole instrumental track, “Wired,” and adds an Eastern perspective on “Eternal Lies.”

The first three tracks of mediocre, bouncy rhythms cause “Bloodlines” to sputter. Here the classic metal show up, but these tracks are boring. The crusty guitar tones and fast tempo of “Deep Down” gets the album moving, though, and the song writing remains solid until the end.

The Tardy’s first solo effort doesn’t offer any eye-popping surprises. “Bloodlines” is OBITUARY: sometimes great, sometimes not so great. Keeping the spirit of OBITUARY is exactly what most would expect from the two. The guest appearances enhance the album greatly, but at the core still lies OBITUARY doing what they do. In some ways, their slow tempos pale in comparison to the blast fest of today’s acts. Old school death metal fans should dig this one, though, and it will serve as a buffer for the next OBITUARY album.

note: 7/10

Tracklist

1. Bring You Down
2. Bloodline
3. I'm Alive
4. Deep Down
5. Wired
6. Fate's Call
7. Eternal Lies
8. Scream Descendent
9. Fade Away
Total playing time: 38:24

Line-up

Lineup:
John Tardy – Vocals
Donald Tardy – Drums, Rhythm Guitars, Bass

Session members:
Ralph Santolla – Guitar Solos, Acoustic Guitars
Jerry Tidwell – Guitar, Guitar Solos
John Lee – Guitar Solos
Scott Johnson – Guitar Solos