About the album
Well, I don't see a lot of thing to say about First Blood, they are an agressive hardcore band. They don't have a lot of materials out. They have this Self/Titled and a split album with Blacklisted. I encounter this band randomly, the thing that make me want to listen to this album was the fact that current members of Terror and ex-members of Sworn Vengeance were playing in this band. In fact the singer of the band is Carl from Terror. So, the band is from the California's Bay Area.Also, this ep was release in 2003 under the label Bridge Nine. The band members are Carl on the vocal, Dough playing guitar,Joe playing bass and Nate on the drum. So now let's take a look at this review.
[url]http://www.firstbloodrules.com/[/url]
The review
First Blood is a fast, loud and agressive hardcore band in the vein of Terror. So, we are talking about yelling vocals, fast drum and hard guitar. I really like the sound they produce, it was a surprise for me when I first listen to this band. Well, when you listen to this album, it is obvious that these guys have been a long time around the hardcore scene. The sound is really intense, brutal hardcore at is best. I also really like the vocal on this album. You can clearly understand what Carl is yelling during the song. I was really surprise by the good job he do for singing. The drum is simply amazing, it is fast, hard and resonant. The guitar simply tear apart each and every track like an earthquake and you can also notice some great bass line.Also, the lyrics are great, I would say they are sometime straight and in your face or at other time more abstract. You will also notice that some songs have part from movie to introduce them. These part are taken from First Blood (Rambo) and Trautman. I really like this aspect, I think it had even more deepness to this EP. This ep is consist of five songs.
The first song, Suffocate, open with an intro from the movie First Blood (Rambo), then the guitar start playing really heavily with drum. After there is a slower moment, it become more fast and the vocals enter the song. This song is simply great from the beginning to the end. You will also hear during the song some nice breakdowns. As for the lyrics, they talk about depression. Here is a part I really like:''
The polluted face of life hiding in black clouds unknowingly killing you, killing me. His filthy hands are wrapped around our trusting throats but the last thing that we need is another liar breathing the fire suffocate of death down below.'' The first time I listened to this song,I was completly amazed. I mean, great vocals, instruments and also excellent lyrics. Great way to open this album.
Then, Drown is following and immediatly take where the last song let us. It begin once again with movie part. Immediatly after the movie part, the song start really fast. I really like the yelling in this song, amazing drum once again, the guitar sound a bit similar to the first song, but the song
doesn't sound similar at all. Their is also a nice breakdown at the end of the song, I can't keep of my head this lyrical part ''
Forever fighting...forever kicking...forever reaching...for the surface as you drown. I think the song lyrics may talk about suicide, that you don't have a second chance if you die or this song could be about depression when all hope is gone. In overall, this song is simply great.
The third song on this album, Victim, start with some drum and guitar playing, then after a few second Carl start singing. I really like the beginning of this song. Also the song is more slow than the other for some part of the song. At some point in the song, it become faster. At the end of the song, there is a long breakdown that last until the end. I think this song talk about people who kill other human, that treat humans like animals, here is an example:''
No regard. No respect for life.Understand the effects kill two ways... killing the life, killing the soul. fall victims to theirs lies. Defend a way of life you can't justify.'' This would explain the fact that these people don't have respect for life, that they can't answer their actions. Here is another example:''Raping, pillaging, someday you will pay. Taking, displacing, someday you will pay.''I think we could also apply this text to country sending soldiers to war and spreading conflicts around the world. This is a great aspect of First Blood, some songs may have multiple meanings. Another great song in my opinion, better than Drown.
Then, we come to Unbroken. The song start with really fast drum, then the guitar enter and Carl start yelling. The song is really fast, it have like the other song nice instrumental work. This song can become extremly fast at some moment and end with a really powerful breakdown. The lyric could talk about the love for someone that have left or about a friend that have change and he isn't like he was in the past. Here is an example:''
Hiding behind the mask of blatant ***ing lies. I despise everything you once ***ing said. Look into your eyes there's nothing left.'' So once again it is really well writen. In overall, another great song.
Finally, we come to the last song of the album and also my favorite one. Foundation open with a movie intro, then the drum start alone really fast and the music start. The music is still really hard and fast. At some point in the song, it become slower, I can also that the singing in this song is excellent, even the back vocal do an amazing job. Not only the musical aspect is excellent but the song lyrics are simply excellent. They are also really meaningful, they talk about the importance of family, how much they are important for you and that they will always be their for you. Here is an example:"
I won't let them get the best of me. This is the path I've made for me. You were my shield from the enemy. Always right there by my side.'' Here is another part that is really meaningful to me:''
I''ve got to find a way to thank my family for everything they've done for me, the sacrifice they made for me. You gave me strength. Without you my life would not be the same.'' This song is simply excellent, I can't stop listening to this song. In overall, it is near perfection.
The quality of the sound and the production of this album is simply excellent.I would also say that all five songs are great. Where First Blood miss the most is the fact that they don't bring anything new. I think we can also say that the album only have five songs.This is a kind of deception, because you will want more believe me.
Conclusion
This album was a total suprise for me.This album is good from the beginning to the end. I think it is a must for any fans of good hardcore. It have nice vocal, great instruments work and excellent lyrics. It is also really cheap and it is really worth your money. I can't wait for a full album by First Blood,I think this ep is a great first taste of this amazing band. If you like hardcore, no question, get this now. To conclude, I give this album
4.5/5.
