Blood Cult - We Are the Cult of the Plains

Release Date: March 2, 2010
Label: Moribund Cult Records

TRACK LISTING

1. My Forest Home
2. Devil's Sabbath
3. Ludi Ceriales
4. Cult of the Plains
5. Seeds
6. Serpent
7. Illinosian Alter
8. We Came Back
9. Necromance
10. Never Said Goodbye

Total playing time: 51:44

May 19, 2010

Reviewer: Kesh

USBM has “new” blood which brings the traditional styling of black metal and makes it very American. Bands in the more traditional vein of black metal like Averse Sefira and the like are good, but the guys from Blood Cult are uniquely American and have cooked up something that just might work.  By the way, I put the word new in quotes because even though this is only the second album for the band, they have had nearly two dozen different demos since 1995. I would say fifteen years of trying means these guys are incredibly persistent and they deserve the label success they have finally gotten. While their previous outing was less than stellar, the new album, We Are the Cult of the Plains or just We Are the Cult shows their improvement over the past five years.

I may not know the first thing about being a redneck, but the airwaves in the southeastern U.S. are permeated by progressive southern rock. So it would stand to reason that a band like Blood Cult was bound to happen eventually, but how odd that the first band to get signed to a label with this sound is from Illinois - at least it’s odd in my mind. I would have expected something like this to crawl out of the swamps here in Florida.

Either way, the formula that the band has come up with seems to work for them.

From the album’s first track “My Forest Home,” you are treated to an old school, truly American sounding black metal treat. The song sounding like something you might find off an early Darkthrone album - with a twang and swagger you’d only find in brash Americans. The second track, “Devil’s Sabbath,” is equally interesting, in that it is an all out and out mesh of progressive southern rock sound and black metal. Every single track is interesting to say the least, in this manner, even if due to the novelty factor of the hybridization of two styles that people might not have necessarily put together in the first place. And why not? Isn’t that how new genres are born? The incredibly odd sounding “Illinesian Altar” is possibly the true stand-out track off the disc, sounding a lot like a good old fashioned hoe-down or barn raising party going on, but in homage to the Dark Lord, not a barn. But no matter what you think of the album - what they are doing, works.

The music is the real attraction here, the guitars are something you’d expect more from something like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jackyl or possibly even early Black Crows. Lead guitarist Reverend J.R. Preston stands out, switching from good old southern style riffs, to classic rock, to classic metal and then to some traditionally black metal elements. Blending all those elements together in what could essentially be a unique playing style that should give him - if not the rest of the band - some real recognition. The rest of it isn't too shabby either, the vocals (also handled by Preston) are a blend that I would easily describe as a mix of traditional black metal and Dan McCafferty of Nazareth (think “Hair of the Dog”) that are easy to digest and still manage being black metal.

Over all, the album has a lot to offer if you are open to new ideas and mixing of genres/styles. With a little more play time over the course of the year, this might even find its way on some top ten lists.

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments: