By Lesley Macdonald
The Blamed are a vintage band by today’s standards having been around since the early 90s when they released their first albums on Seattle’s infamous Tooth And Nail records. Initially a Christian hardcore punk rock band, their sound evolved and developed quickly as a changing line-up fed in new influences, ultimately earning them a reputation for their diverse ability to cross genres. The band split in 2003 to focus on various side projects, including the acclaimed ‘The Satire’ with whom they ultimately released a comeback EP, ‘The Spit EP’ in 2018. The current line-up comprises original members Brian Gray (guitar) and Jim Chaffin (drums) as well as Jeff Locke (guitar/vocals) and Sid Duffour (bass).
‘The Church Is Hurting People’ is long awaited, representing the first full length offering from The Blamed in 17 years. The title appears provocative, but in the intro explains itself through a preaching narrative: ‘‘hurting people are welcome here’’ indicating the band is still dedicated to their Christian values. Standing out from the track list are ‘Overwhelming Love’ which showcases the intricacy Chaffin is capable of, sounding like a metal band on speed; you can still hear the punk in the chorus. ‘Everytime I Win I lose’ weirdly makes me imagine a metal beach boys, a brilliant two minute blast that sticks in the head and ‘Better Left Unsaid’ is an angry staccato ‘’Your talk is wicked it can’t hurt me’’. ‘We Are One And The Same’ also deserves a mention, this fantastic pairing with Jesse Hawley reintroduces the metal growl in verse and punk chorus.
While this is an impressive hardcore punk return, it has something for everyone – take ‘Victim Identification Please’ which is raw and unpolished garage punk style, ‘Still Waiting For You To Come Home’ is creepy, haunting and slower paced and the aptly titled ‘Speaking To A Cold Room Of People Who Need Heat’ is specifically intended to do just that, bordering on hardcore metal, its purpose is to stoke the pit. Towards the end The Blamed add yet another string to the bow as they launch into collaboration with industrial metal band Klank on ‘Never Wanted To Be Alone With You’. Thrashed out unmercifully, it is an epic end to a diverse and intense album.
The Blamed have changed over the years but whatever they take to they seem to master. That is something that they seem to do now as well as they did then which will ensure that ‘The Church Is Hurting People’ pays service to all their fans.
- ‘The Church Is Hurting People’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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