BLINDSIDE
The Great Depression
DRT Entertainment 2005
www.blindsideonline.com

Read the Simon Grenehed interview

Sample it here

What’s the 4-1-1?
Swedish Christian metallers attempt to conquer the states with their latest album that was inspired by lead singer Christian Lindskog’s sabbatical through South Africa.

Genre
Heavy metal / hard rock / Christian metal

The Good
“Heartattack” starts off like a steady and repetitive EKG reading, but when the chorus kicks in, the intensity levels are off the charts. Twangy distorted riffs compliment enduring melodic vocals on “We’re All Going to Die”, a tale of hopelessness. “Yemkela” has the most frantic and compelling guitar parts on the whole album. Lindskog’s vocals are full of anger and frustration. A driving riff and familiar chord changes command “Fell in Love with the Game”. Christian manages to contain his fury in exchange for some great melody. “We Are to Follow” starts off subtle enough, but as the song reaches its high point, it delivers the power. Instrumentation takes a back seat to thought-provoking lyrics and leading drum patterns on “Bleeding Under Your Eyelids”. “Come to Rest” shows signs that classic Blindside still exists.

The Bad
If I didn’t mention it above, unfortunately it belongs here. What happened to the raw intensity that this band delivered on their first two albums? Did someone pull Christian aside and tell him that if he were a little more nasally and whine with his vocals, he’d fit right in on U.S. rock radio?

The Verdict
I have not listened to Blindside’s last two albums, only their first two, so I can only compare this to them. With The Great Depression, Blindside have chosen to focus less on intensity and more on lyrical content. Every band matures and progresses beyond their earlier material, but for Blindside I think it hurts them a bit. With their early work they were a metal force to reckon with, with their current release, I think they’ve lost their edge to try and fit in with the U.S. rock radio standard fare.

Did You Know?
Blindside have been together for eleven years.

Rating: out of 5

Related Reviews:
Blindside - S/T & A Thought Crushed My Mind (reissues)

--George Dionne