Bloodtruth – Obedience (Unique Leader)
Tuesday, 2nd September 2014
Bloodtruth’s claim to fame is that it was started as a side project by Fleshgod Apocalypse members Francesco Paoli and Paolo Rossi. But it’s kind of a moot point, since neither has been a part of the band for quite some time. Still, listening to Obedience, there is a certain “older” Fleshgod feel to it, with the precision riffing and speed, but the same point could also reference Hour of Penance. Really, it’s an Italian death metal thing. If you like Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hour of Penance, or Hideous Divinity, you are surely going to dig Bloodtruth.
Much like their Italian brothers, slowing down isn’t something that you will find too much of on Obedience. There’s something about those Italian waters though that makes all these bands able to move at breakneck pacing and still make “songs” instead of technical showcases. Despite the blitzkrieg that is invoked through these nine tracks (the album opens to some cool chanting), there is a flow and careful precision to the album and the fusion of the vocals and guitar riffs will keep you quite intrigued. “Quench Your Thirst,” “Foresworn,” and “Surrounded By Bigots” should all convey this message effectively: riff fast and furious, but with purpose (and tasteful solos).
While the band does utilize Gregorian chants (cleverly portrayed on the cover of the album as well) on a number of moments throughout Obedience, it’s really not enough to distinguish them from their peers. The chants are undeniably cool, but there needs to be a bit more differences stylistically to really get the band’s name out there. It’s impeccably done, that’s for sure, and if you love that ‘balls to the wall’ Italian approach to death metal (much like myself), Bloodtruth is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. You’ve been warned.
