Bloody Sign
Explosion Of Elements
7.6
The sophomore record from Frenchmen Bloody Sign comes courtesy of Ibex Moon Records, which their full-length debut Vana Viggala Loits also calls home. Though IMR may currently be known for the latest from Estuary, Incantation, and Thornafire, among others, Explosion of Elements should put this trio back on the metal map, and, at the same time, raise a few eyebrows in the process. With nine tracks that clock in at approximately 45 minutes, the agile, blackened death-cum-thrash assault is an adept take on a blended style, even if it’s not spectacular.
Beginning with “Serpent’s Sky Secrets,” the opener sets the stage for what will follow: spidery deathrash metal, with occasional BM-like riffs/tones/paces, that is relayed at a relatively fast rate of speed. Hagend’s gruff vocals are throaty growls that, because they deviate from the norm, thankfully separate him from a pack of similar frontmen. Unfortunately, Explosion of Elements is in need of a production that thickens their sound without sacrificing the instrumental clarity that is present on this particular disc. In other words, thinness doesn’t work in their favor. Most tunes, from “Ghost Riders” to intro-laden “Iron Genesis” to “Uncontrolled,” are solid attention-grabbers, however, as are “Wind of Vengeance” and “Apocalyptic Warriors,” but for a different reason – their riffs and tempos manifest black metal qualities that cannot be denied. The latter is a Massacra cover from the group’s 1990 opus Final Holocaust, for what it’s worth.
So, in the end, Explosion of Elements is a satisfying listen that deserves to be heard, especially for followers of bands that throw various subgenres in a blender to see what comes out. Bloody Sign don’t exactly blaze a trail here, and the recording lacks power to a certain extent, but the songwriting chops are most definitely out in not-quite-full force.
