Bloodgood

Item: Detonation
Author: Doug Van Pelt

Detonation

(1987)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

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Label Frontline RecordsHM Magazine #90July/August 2001

heavy metal speed metal thrash metal

Storming out of an area not yet known as a thriving music mecca (Seattle), this heavy metal band quickly made its professional imprint on a scene that was full of wannabes like Messiah Prophet, Philadelphia, Valor, Rosanna's Raiders, Force 3, Golgatha, and a slew of others. Sure, those bands were okay, for Christians, but if you wanted to impress someone on musical talent alone, you'd better deliver professionally. Enter Stryper, Barren Cross, and Bloodgood. They could play on any stage in any location and hold their own.

Bloodgood got attention as a heavy hitting straight-up metal band a la Metal Church with its self-titled debut, but this sophomore release is where the band staked its claim (and began venturing out to play concerts outside its Northwest home). All great albums have at least one special moment — that show-stopping song that speaks of greatness. There's a couple really good songs on Side One (remember having to flip over a vinyl album?), but the coup de grace is the suite/medley of "Crucify" and "The Messiah."

Immediately becoming the centerpiece of their live set, Bloodgood had established, for the first time, a defining moment for live Christian rock — a theatrical re-enactment of the trial and scourging of Jesus. Vocalist Les Carlsen began the song dressed as Pontious Pilate as the "trial" (and massive double bass drumming) begins. With a wave of his hand and a declaration of "I wash my hands of this man's blood," the red robe and garland are ditched and the "beating" begins. Aided by strobe lights, guitarist David Zaffiro and bassist Michael Bloodgood whip him with their guitar headstocks, sending a writhing Carlsen to the ground, and then kicking him. He plays the part well, making the audience wince in pain. Looking completely spent, he only manages to stand up just as the next verse begins. Jaw-dropping. Powerful. Stunning. The band immediately follows this with the passionate weeping song about the followers that took Jesus' dead body and prepared it for burial. Somehow capturing the sorrow that these disciples must have felt, the band would lay a full-on invitation to receive Christ during an extended bridge in this song. It was the perfect marriage of visual and sonics. Truly a benchmark in the history of Christian metal. And this is the soundtrack that still conjures those live images for any eyes that beheld the performance.

Not to be overshadowed by the mini rock opera, there was the wit and attitude of "Self Destruction" and the emotion in the power ballad "Alone In Suicide." My original review of this album back '87 started off with the brazen statement: "...the best album in Christian metal. Anybody wanna argue?" No one ever sent a letter of rebuttal. Few would even today. While Bloodgood failed to break out into the mainstream metal world, they gave those that listened a piece of excellence. Nothing more could be asked of a band.