Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats - _Blood Lust_
(Independent, 2011)
by: Johnathan A. Carbon (7 out of 10)
Alright. So what do we have here? A proto-metal throwback concerning itself with themes of the occult and darkness? An album recorded on vintage equipment which sounds like it's weathered and worn with time? A record design which is authentically retro and even looks slightly faded?

The concept of romanticizing a period in heavy metal's history has been done before by the likes of Witch, Witchcraft, The Sword and Wolfmother, along with the majority of mid-'90s stoner doom projects. The problem inherent to time traveling bands is an impenetrable wall which lies beyond simple recreation. After you have successfully created the past, where then does one go?

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, a British doom band, have little to say in terms of defense. The band's second record, _Blood Lust_ does little to change direction plotted in 2010's _Volume 1_. By all accounts, this band should be cast into the wind to suffer the fate of charlatans and pretenders. Despite all my reservations regarding revival bands, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats have created a record which is not only authentic, but undeniably enjoyable. _Blood Lust_ is not only a good throwback record, it is one of the best which captures the dark Satanic undercurrent of the early '70s along with interesting instrumentation and vocals ranges. Well dammit. You got me. Now let us proceed to the rumpus room where my lava lamp and three foot bong await.

I believe the heavy metal's early history represents a pastoral age which often romanticized by bands and listeners. Before genre distinctions and the multiple divisions between the underground and mainstream, there existed an antebellum atmosphere of great discovery. The late '60s cradled a theme of darkness which while birthed in blues, soon flowered into the heavy metal we have today. Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats channel this specific time and gear it towards a record of great intensity and flawless interpretation. I care little whether or not this band can pull it off for another album. For the moment I am completely content on this beanbag chair.

The highlights on _Blood Lust_ are many and scattered throughout the record. "Death's Door", 13 Candles", "Withered Hand of Evil" and even the acoustic inspired bonus track are flawless recreations of a time now immortalized in memory. If I could have this album on vinyl, cassette or 8-track, it would only add to the joyous act of reconstruction. For the next couple of weeks, my hair will be longer, things will run smoothly and the sky will be multiple shades of faded colors.

Contact: http://www.myspace.com/uncleacid

(article published 30/9/2011)


RSS Feed RSS   Facebook Facebook   Twitter Twitter  ::  Mobile : Text  ::  HTML : CSS  ::  Sitemap

All contents copyright 1995-2024 their individual creators.  All rights reserved.  Do not reproduce without permission.

All opinions expressed in Chronicles of Chaos are opinions held at the time of writing by the individuals expressing them.
They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone else, past or present.