CoC : Temple - Bloodletting : Review

Temple - _Bloodletting_
(Independent, 1999)
by: Adrian Bromley (8 out of 10)

Another one man outfit (see The Protagonist review) and I am wondering, as Ned Flanders on The Simpsons might say, "What's the dealio?" I am all for one man outfits, there just seems to be a large abundance of them out there nowadays. Do bands even exist anymore? I guess with computer / studio equipment becoming more affordable, almost anyone can do this. But few can pull it off, right? Case in point, the latest offering _Bloodletting_ from Austin, Texas-based Temple. Produced, recorded and written entirely by metal head Dan Temple, his solo outfit is basking in strong songwriting and some very intricate arrangements. Throw in a killer, off centered death metal rasp vocal style and you've got the goods on Temple. The key to the success of this solo project is Temple's knack for keeping things tight and in-yer-face, something quite easy with Temple's jaw dropping thrash/speed metal flare, touched up tightly by death metal-esque arrangements. It's not about wanking off and showing what he can do, but about having the balls to keep people going from the get go. I'm all for artists like Temple that need to express themselves with their music but don't come off all pretentious. All guts 'n' glory here. Check out "Before You Die", "Murder in the Black Hall" and "The Followers". Dan Temple should be proud of his work.

(article published 13/2/1999)

ALBUMS
3/5/2000	A Bromley	7	Temple - Shores of Oblivion