Customer Reviews

Out for Blood

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After listening to just a few tracks of Sadus' new album, the listener should be able to tell that this is no ordinary thrash record. Sure, it's still mighty fast, heavy, ferocious, and ripping, but it also has several differentiating elements. These elements should help Sadus stand apart from the legions of other thrash bands making appearances in 2006 (i.e. Sodom, Demiricous, etc.) For one, frontman Darren Travis' vocals on "Out For Blood," Sadus' seventh album, are abnormally high pitched (sounding like a match between Death and Exodus), and are thus a bit annoying at first (but only at first!). Next, most of these songs have audible bass parts. Steve DiGiorgio lays down some beeping, slapped bass notes which wouldn't sound completely out of place on a Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, or Mudvayne album. Thirdly, the songs on this album are quite a bit longer than, say, a Slayer song (these songs average over five minutes in length). And, lastly (and most importantly), "Out For Blood" is generally slower, more melodic, and catchier than most thrash releases. It offsets fast, bruising numbers with mid-tempo chuggers. For instance, the album opener, "In The Name Of..." is bolstered by a throbbing bass, a blisteringly fast guitar lead, and quick, pounding drums. But the next two songs, "No More" and "Smackdown," have slowly pounding rhythms (plus track two features some strange but efficient computer/robotic sound effects). Later on, "Down" and "Freedom" both fall into a catchy, if sluggish groove, and "Cursed" features an ambient intro and outro. But these slower songs are interspersed with scorching riff onslaughts. The title track, "Sick," and "Freak" all prove Sadus can still shred your speakers, as these songs are blindingly fast and have breakneck rhythms with barrages of brutal, fiery guitars. So, whether attacking the jugular or pulling back on the reigns, Sadus prove they can rock efficiently, and are (or should be) one of thrash/speed metal's most famous and recognizable bands.

For a band that made albums in 1988, 1990, 1992, then 1998 and now 2006, a fan of Sadus has to wait a long time for the next Sadus installment. But let me tell you, these boys don't disappoint! At all costs (I had to buy the album thrice just to get one copy of it), you must get this album!

"Out for Blood" has all the now signature Sadus trademarks, Steve DiGiorgio's insane fretless/fretted bass playing, his ambient synths that he throws in, Darren Travis' shriek and eerie guitars, and Jon Allen's pounding drumming. But this album delivers other things too that were either toned down in earlier albums or just simply weren't present at all. The progressive element in the Thrash/Death metal song writing is always heavily present, but whereas 1998's equally progressive "Elements of Anger" was sluggish at times, O4B has plenty of speed and rage like their first three albums (Illusions, Swallowed in Black, Vision of Misery). I think the Sadus boys have now found the exact point where heavy and fast music can also be loud and progressive at the same time.

Not one bad song on the CD. Most numbers are Mid-tempo, there are some faster ones, and there are some slow ones. Sometimes they do all three in the same song. The song writing is really proficient and there aren't any riffs that aren't needed or just thrown in for flash at the last moment. The production is the best of any Sadus album, and almost equally balances out Steve's thunderous bass, drums, guitars, and vocals.

Best metal album I've heard in 2006 so far. Want progressive, heavy, angry, and every so often fast enough to blow you away? Then this album is for you. If you can get the "Limited Edition" 2-CD version of the O4B album because it has three extra tracks: 1) Black March; 2) An interesting cover of Iron Maiden's "Invaders"; 3) A cover of Dark Angel's "Merciless Death".

After a 8 year hiatus since they released their phenomenal "Elements of Anger" in 1997, Sadus comes back with "Out For Blood", and this CD got a rather mix of reviews. The average review percent on the Encyclopedia Metallum was a 48%. After listening to this after being addicted to the band's previous works, I must say that this album is somewhat of a disappointment, but at the same time, has its share of stand out moments as well. First off, "Out For Blood" incorporates quite a bit of groove into the mix (i.e. "Smackdown", "Lost It All"), but it does deliver riffs that will please the 80's thrash fan ("Out For Blood"). However, if there is anything that delivers the most on this album, it's Steve Digorgio and his infamous bass skills. You can hear him play on every track, and he retains his technical abilities. Another oddity you might found on this CD that you probably wouldn't expect on a thrash disc is a synthesizer. That's right, a synthesizer. "No More" and "Lost It All" incorporate it best, at least to my ears. Finally, the lyrical content...is rather lame...but hey, the music makes up for it, right?

The CD has a way different sound from its predecessors, and it may disappoint the Sadus fan with its changes, but then again, if you want a modern thrash CD with some excellent bass work in it, "Out For Blood" is for you. If you prefer earlier thrash, however, check out "A Vision of Misery" and "Swallowed in Black" instead.

Sadus features the workaholic Steve DiGeorgio, who also worked for Death and Iced Earth. this is old-school thrash at its best. thrash has not died, and Sadus is the key to bring it back! what new surprises come out for 2007 for the thrash metal genre? find out for yourself. on this album, all the tracks are worthy of a standing ovation, and if The Rock were still in WWE, the track "Smackdown" would be a good entrance theme for him. other bands to consider if you enjoyed this album are Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, Slayer, Demiricous, Testament, Overkill, Megadeth, Exodus, Flotsam & Jetsam, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, and other great present-day thrash bands. Rock on!

I'm a huge Sadus fan, and the new cd does not dissappoint, but where can I get the limited 2 disc version???