First Blood
Rules
(Pure Noise Records)
Carl Schwartz, ex-bass for Terror, spews caustic political vitriol with his band, First Blood. Their stripped down attack was first exposed on their debut EP and a split EP on Deathwish in 2003. Killafornia followed in 2006. More of a beatdown band than Terror or fellow ex-Terror guitarist, Todd Jones’ Nails, Scharwtz utilizes his bouncing riffs to incite hardcore kids globally. Rules arrives in Feb 2017, which is First blood’s normal pace. Their second album, Silence is Betrayal, was released in 2010. The slogan on Silence appeared over an armed with a police riot cop shooting a giant tear gas gun into a close crowd of protestors. “When peaceful protest becomes impossible, violent revolution becomes inevitable” was laid out on the album. First blood place another police beating on Rules with an isolated picture of a cop in mid-stomp above a grounded protester. They continue to play beastly tunes which hopefully raise insight, awareness, and violent rebellion. Given the current state of this nation and its impending promise of law and order, Pure Noise Records ensures we are equipped with more ammo from First Blood.
Rules’ set up for titles is blunt. Each song has “Rules” in the title; “Rules of Engagement”, “Rules of Freedom”, “Rules of Life”, “Rules of Conviction”, “These Are the Rules”, “Rules are Meant to be Broken”, etc over twelve tracks. The music is the message. And while song structures and sound get repetitive, each song’s lyrics serve their purpose to motivate dissent in the listener. Rules is a political statement in incendiary times. Big riffs, along the line of early Hoods, recent Earth Crisis, and Bulldoze, are the main weapon in Schwartz’s arsenal.
“Rules of Life” is the fourth track and is when the album ascends to the next level. The fury of the growled lyrics is emphasized by an energetic swinging riff and layered guitar lines, adding that extra punch. The middle comes and the breakdown is vicious. This is a faster track that elevates the atmosphere. “Rules of Conviction” follows with a good bandy between slow and fast. The final third of the track uses some atmospheric production that creates a haunting vibes as the instrumentation fades to the background. “Rules of Freedom” is a chaotic burner, fast and dangerous. Still a good mosh part, but it twists and pounds around fast parts that are blinding. “Rules of Sacrifice” is extremely fast as the album starts to close, this one keeps the momentum.
The production is the same compressed thick sound while basslines and drums pound out breakdown mantras. The filters add a hesitance that help the riffs and certain moments erupt, extolling the punch of the music. The pit will be a tornado each time this band plays. The songs are designed for crowd response and interaction. Gang vocals, call and response parts, engaging lyrics; everything is a factor here to move the crowd into a frenzy. Rules is a testament in these forsaken times.
Purchase the album here: Physical | iTunes
