Blood In The Gears (Deluxe Edition) [+Digital Booklet]

The Showdown | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 24, 2010
• Release Date: August 24, 2010
• Label: SOLID STATE RECORDS
• Copyright: (C) 2010 Solid State Records
• Total Length: 48:17
• Genres:
• ASIN: B003Z17HRU
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,492 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid blast of american metal, August 24, 2010

By 

Michael (FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood In the Gears (Audio CD)

When The Showdown played during the Ozzfest I went to in '07, I thought they were cool, but The Temptation Come My Way record never really caught my attention. I didn't even bother when Back Breaker came out, but then Blood In The Gears came about. So, I gave them another chance, and I am amazed. What I didn't know was that they started out having melodic death metal and hardcore influences when their first record came out, but that was shed in favor of a more southern rock sound for Temptation. For Back Breaker, they brought back the hardcore elements and developed a more thrash metal sound. Same goes for Blood In The Gears. So, you can say that I'm pleased. Plus, I'm a sucker for nasty guitar riffs, and if the guitarists are total rifflords, I'm sold. For The Showdown, there's no exception: there's plenty to like. They've still retained the southern elements in their sound, so you'll a moment or two of groove. If anything that I've told doesn't have you at all interested, just check them out and hear for yourself.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty, Groovy, All-American Thrash, September 11, 2010

By 

Mark Carver (China) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood In the Gears (Audio CD)

The Showdown have come a long long way. I saw them live back in 2004 and they were energetic and fun but hardly memorable. 2008's "Back Breaker" saw their sound become honed and refined towards the southern rock spectrum and now with "Blood in the Gears," we are treated to some ultra-macho, chest-pounding, riffs-with-rabies Johnny Rebel groove metal the likes of which we've never seen.

The Showdown take nasty, snarling southern riffs and blends them with hardcore energy and urgency, and what comes out of the oven is guaranteed to get every head banging within earshot. There's groove a-plenty, with a little melody and emotion here and there but this isn't soul-baring metalcore. Oh no, this is locked-'n-loaded, leather jacket and metal studs man's man metal. And it is absolutely buck wild. Not the fastest or heaviest fish in the barrel but the energy is so infectious, I can't get it out of my head. You'll hear numerous influences, from Metallica to Pantera to Hatebreed, but this is no copycat. It takes the macho swagger from early 90's thrash and flings in into a 21st century circle pit. If you don't move to this, you are comatose.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For what it's worth., November 25, 2010

By 

Bryan W. Jackson "Bryan Jackson" (Kentucky, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood In The Gears (MP3 Download)

This is two part review coming from different perspectives. If you're a Christian looking for faith affirming metal music, part 1 is for you. If you're not a Christian, Part 2 is for you.

Part 1: The Showdown for sometime has been understood to be a Christian band according to my research. After hearing this CD, I'd have to say that it would be difficult to convict them of being Christians at all. The overt focus on Suicide, Evil, Digging your own grave and Hell makes it difficult find a positive message, an encouraging word, or uplifting thought here. This is the first album from The Showdown that I've purchased, I haven't heard any of the others, if I had it to do over, I wouldn't have purchased it. The most "Christian" lyric appears in the song "Bring it Down" which says, "Respect only to God" but that lyric isn't expounded on much. If you're looking for smart Christian metal with depth, give Project 86 a look...

Part 2: I do have to hand it to The Showdown, I give this album 5 stars from a musical standpoint. The riffs are tight and smart, love the harmonics, and the vocals. The mixing and recording is top notch and I really like the way the drums are miked/processed. The sharp kick bass click reminds me of old Pantera, well done guys. I'm not so much into the death metal growling, but that's just personal preference. I'm in my mid 30's and my metal influences stem back to the mid 80's. I hear strong Zakk Wylde, Pantera, Metallica, Slayer (just a bit), and others.. From a musical standpoint, this is a fantastic metal album that would be worthy in any heavy metal fans library.

I gave this review 3 stars because I expect a bit more from my Christian brothers. 99% of everything I own musically is from Christian bands and when I buy music, I desire a little more depth lyrically than whats here. I must emphasize though that there isn't ONE SINGLE profane word on this album, and I really appreciate that. The Showdown, regardless of your spiritual loyalties, thank you for producing a Metal album devoid profanity and sexual references. That alone is worth high regard.