For years, it's been without question that Europe is the breeding ground for so many metalcore acts. Now even more bands seem to be coming out of the woodwork with the recent boom of this style being on the rise. That's not to say these are all your average newcomers; they are seasoned veterans hoping to continue playing a style of music they show a love for as well.
Blood Redemption comes from the ashes of several other acts that had a great run in their time. Featuring ex-members of Spirit of Youth, Legion, and Solid, Blood Redemption has brought their lessons onto this new group with intentions of doing something different. This is evident in their opening track "Choices." The album begins at a great pace and lacking the dramatic opening most bands feel the need to throw in these days. There is no acoustic opening, instrumental marching coup of some sort, or anything along these lines. After the first song, you start to think this band has promise; I wouldn't put it past them that this was the last song written before they entered the studio because it's their strongest by far. I mean you do need to hook in the listener no? Which is what "Choices" does.
Other songs like "Life Long Regret" and "This Love" come off as though they were unsure where they were headed with this release and couldn't figure out if they wanted to go one way or another. The melodies seem forced and unnecessary to a point, which basically acts as the monkey wrench to the flow of the songs. "Human Nature" and "Hoax" are easily forgotten tracks more so because it comes off as an homage towards bands of similar influences like Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall. The lyrics seem nothing out of the ordinary, except sincere. My only thing is that sometimes the lyrics come off more as a paragraph from a book; lacking the form and flow you would get in your conventional songwriting:
This is a story that actually happened, it's in memory of what once was the best teacher this planet could offer, but a corrupt school board decided otherwise.
Overall, this isn't the most solid release I've heard lately. The ideas are there, the band knows what they want. Being this is Blood Redemption's debut MCD, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they'll grow to be more comfortable as a band and better songwriters as the years go by. The first track started off great and the rest of the songs don't really add to that. It's easy to get lost in the other tracks making this feel like one long song after a while. Not to say this is completely dismissed because fans of this genre will enjoy it, but I'm willing to put my money that more avid listeners and fans of this genre will finish this album feeling like something was lacking that they can't put their finger on.
