ALBUM REVIEW: Visions Of Another Hell – Blood Youth
Since 2014, Harrogate’s own powder keg BLOOD YOUTH have amassed a huge fan base like the pied piper of hardcore. Their scintillating mix of melody, relatable subject matter and powerhouse intensity became a surefire hit, and ever since their arrival they have grown and evolved in impressive fashion. It was a heart wrenching moment to hear the news that talismanic frontman Kaya Tarsus would be departing the band, but they should be in good hands with successor and former GOD COMPLEX frontman Harry Rule taking the reins. Before Tarsus says his farewells the Yorkshire collective are making sure he goes out with an earth-shattering bang in the form of surprise release Visions Of Another Hell which is available now via Rude Records. Don’t forget to fasten your seatbelts!
a-LTX gets proceedings underway with a chilling soundscape that instantly puts you on the defensive. It takes little time for crushing drum beats and Tarsus‘ caustic vocal work to slice through the arrangement. Crunchy, groove-soaked guitar work ducks in and out, rearing its head as a warning not to get too comfortable. Iron Lung ups the ante with terrifying dissonance and ferocious energy. The emotive, cathartic chorus lines take the edge off the razor sharp aggression. The breakdown which follows threatens to shatter your bones. Something To Numb The Pain follows suit with additional bursts of jarring instrumentation. The rapid-fire drumming and venomous vocal lines would give SLIPKNOT a run for their money. Cells maintains the potent, pounding drum work but also offers up some more restrained segments that let the haunting lyrical content ring out loud and clear. The surges in melody send shivers down your spine.
Body Of Wire dials up the frenzy once more, punching you right in the ribs with bludgeoning riffs and a relentless barrage of rage. Colony3 is like an immediate injection of adrenaline. From the swift tempo to the thunderous blast beats, the track just doesn’t let up. Even the slower sections are filled with such intoxicating groove that they make you want to run through a wall. Open Window is considerably less violent but still contains the hefty bite instilled thus far and is packed to the brim with emotion and passion.
As we approach the latter stages, Synthetic shows no signs of running out of steam. The intensity levels are still running at optimum capacity. The slick ebbing and flowing of the pacing keeps you on your toes. Human Blur comes hurtling at you like a steamroller, its crushing riff work hammering you to within an inch of your life as they extract the air from your lungs. Kept In A Box possesses a particularly unsettling demeanour that feels like a battle between light and darkness. Uplifting melodies lock horns with demonic, down-tuned devastation. When you see that final track Dogma has a runtime of almost eight minutes, it really piques your interest, wondering what BLOOD YOUTH might have in store for Tarsus‘ swansong. It certainly doesn’t disappoint. Taking you on an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you gripped throughout its chapters. The poignant lyrics fit perfectly with the dramatic atmosphere.
Whilst Visions Of Another Hell signals the end of this iteration of BLOOD YOUTH, it is arguably their strongest and most dynamic material to date. Whether you are taking a colossal riff to the face or belting out melodic choruses for your neighbours to hear, you are engrossed in the meticulous craftmanship on display from start to finish. A fitting farewell for one of modern metal’s top frontmen and a powerful message that BLOOD YOUTH are far from over.
Rating: 9/10
Visions Of Another Hell is out now via Rude Records.
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