Review: “We Create This” by Bless The Dead

A Southern Groove Metal band hailing from Atlanta Georgia Bless The Dead have been a growing concern since 2012. A couple of independently released EPs in 2015’s self titled and 2018’s “Vul Va” were enough to persuade Sliptrick Records to ink a deal for distribution of 2018 debut album “The Boars Nest“. In 2021 the band decided to change their game and add a second guitarist with Mike “Chucky” Christian switching from four to six strings. In his place as the band brought in Caleb Killion to join vocalist Noah Welborn, drummer Keith Graham and guitarist Jon Gray.

There is no mistaking the influence of bands like Pantera, Pissing Razors and Hellyeah when to comes to the Southern Metal style choice of Bless The Dead, it’s pretty much air apparent from the first few seconds of opening cut “755“. The harsh vocals are reminiscent of Soil frontman Ryan McCombs with that whisky infused twang to them although the lyrical narrative of this one is probably more in keeping with what Poison might offer. It might be a little bit sleezy but there is no mistaking the bands groove laden sonic formula is a winner. Thunderous drums and slick riffs inject life into “DFK” which introduces gang chants in the final third as the five piece avoid the bloodlust for a face melting solo and stick to the pulsating driving rhythms upon which they’ve made their name. “Dead Hearts” smashes the clock in fear by introducing a little more riff complexity in fleeting moments while preying on the Metal Head’s love of a headbangable rhythm. The introduction of a couple of tempo shifts that inject a little more energy is a nice touch, while the solo remains tasteful and solid rather than reaching the scorching heights it could have done. Another solid old school mid 90’s flavoured cut “No Clue What For” has a little more freedom to it, the band harnessing their live power and putting it to good use. The quirky lead moments give it a spark that makes it stand out from the pack before the riff trading between Gray and Christian before the final chorus gives it that jam session vibe.

Pulling out every trick in the book “Tracks In The Dust” hits like a freight train, armed with some whammy bar action, a solo and a voices in the head style mid section that no one expected. The gruff vocals are used to hit the nail on the head lyrically and it’s one of those where you’ll be screaming along as you hit the freeway. Introducing some bounce, “Swinger” slices and dices with a thunderous kit performance from Graham that is arguably the finest on the record. What makes it is the little deviations and moments that perhaps you don’t hear all of on the first listen, as it’s not as straightforward as is it at first seems. Something of a guilty pleasure, the album has an addictive listenable quality to it which is undeniable. Welborn roars about running away with the kind of grit and integrity that says he’s pissed off with the world, something which gives “Slip Away” an darker edge before the solo absolutely rips. An obvious stand out, it will win you over well before the end of the first listen.

“Wander” has a classy false ending and a sing-a-long chorus that gets in your head and won’t leave until you’ve repeated it about 50 million times, aided and abetted by an earworm riff. A darker cut with some almost ethereal vocal change ups “Watching Them Fall” might take a little time to get going but once it does it’s an unstoppable force. Wrapping things around to the opening track, there is sense of regret in parts of “Sorry My Dude” a cautionary tale of the outcome of spending the night with a friends mother but it also seems to have an air of tongue in cheek humour. The riffs are electric with a Metalized air of The Offspring about them, the chorus a sing-a-long one and the heavier post-chorus parts make it memorable. Not 100% sold on the Death Metal cover art being the right thing for this record but what is clear is that it has the strength to win you over if you give it a chance [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. 755
2. DFK
3. Dead Hearts
4. No Clue What For
5. Tracks In The Dust
6. Swinger
7. Slip Away
8. Wander
9. Watching Them Fall
10. Sorry My Dude

“We Create This” by Bless The Dead is out 9th August 2024 via WormHoleDeath Records