The King is Blind’s superb debut album Our Father was released back in January and it’s still the album to beat if anyone out there wants to take the coveted HMO Album of the Year 2016 spot. It’s a smart concept album about Satan, Christ and the devil in mankind given an absolute drubbing by the band’s burly death metal hammering. The King is Blind cleverly avoid all the usual concept album excess though, bashing out their tale in ten songs that are all a riot in their own right. The variation in styles carry the narrative (death, thrashing hardcore, Monotheist-ic doom and black metal atmosphere) and the focus on excellent songwriting and riffs means the concept that can be enjoyed or ignored. If you want to curl up with the lyrics or just enjoy a cathartic extreme metal battering, Our Father works equally well. An impressive and notable debut. I can’t wait to see them live in October.
Very pithy! This is a bit heavy for my tastes but I can appreciate it.
So this is currently in your #1 spot for the year? I was kind of expecting the Strumbellas to take that spot.
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Me too, but this knocked The Strumbellends off the top spot. An impressive feat! And yay for pith! Another 160-worder for me…
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I’ll be curious what happens at the end of 2016. Metallica will be out by then 🙂
On this I can even hear some of the words! (Unlike Strumbellas which sounds like verbal farting.)
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Metallica have a new album coming out? 😉
And they will have some stiff competition from Darkthrone too… their album comes out soon and I’m sensing greatness!
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I was talking about the 2016 lists with Deke and Bop…I think I have 3 of mine solidly picked. We’ll see what happens!
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I’ve got a few likely ones too, but there’s so many big albums coming out between now and Christmas…
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Holy crap you guys, you’re picking Year’s Best records in August? That’s crazy talk.
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Not picking the 10 though, just thinking about the best so far. Too much exciting stuff coming out for me to make any calls yet. I’m sure this one’ll rank pretty high though.
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Fair enough. It just hadn’t even crossed my mind yet, I mean, it’s only August! You’re like those guys putting out Christmas decorations the day after Halloween… 😉
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I always know a few by the end of the summer!
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Musically, I enjoyed it. But the vocal style is not my cup a tea.
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Fair enough, I think he’s great but it’s not for everyone I suppose.
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That is why there is so much music out there because everyone likes different things, but I did give the song a listen. I like the whole religious concept of the album. That intrigues me.
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They’ve put a lot of thought into it for sure. It’s pretty ambitious stuff for a debut. Thanks for checking it out!
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Honestly that’s my only issue with this style of music. The instrumentation is incredible but I have the same “block” when it comes to the vocals. And yeah, that kind of concept for a debut…very rare in any genre.
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Once again HMO I dig your enthusaism on these Death Metal Acts that would make me have to sleep with the light on! Satan/Christ/Devil In Mankind is all rolled into a one stop Concept album no less….
Look forward to the live review down the road!
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Thanks Deke! Sorry if this put the willies up you! Never done a live review before, might be worth a bash!
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All my reviews are live…no overdubs.
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Mine are carefully constructed studio creations. I’m the Tom Scholz of reviews!
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Well my last name is close to Willie’s hahaha…i’m good thanks!….
Yeah do a live review……ALL Hail HMO or Satan?!
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For reasons beyond my control, I probably won’t go to Bloodstock in 2017 but this band definitely deserves to play there. I liked what I heard here but for me, the song here isn’t one where I’d be interested in the lyrics. You were right about Ackercoke so could you be two for two?
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It turns out that these guys are going to be supporting Akercocke when I go to see them in October so I’m hoping it will be two for two! I think The King Is Blind played Bloodstock already a couple of times.
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Mummy, I’m scared!
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I’d have thought Joan’s steely gaze would be more terrifying than this stuff?
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Lordy! What’s wrong with my ears!
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I’m not sure, you’ve blacked them out in your photo.
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* shite photey 🙂
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Ooooo I like it! \m/ \m/ You find the coolest stuff.
Also: “Am yer Da” Wouldn’t that be “Ahm”? Either way, Luke, your future could be pretty dark. 🙂
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I’ve seen it both ways. I think I’d take Darth as my Da over this ram thing. And yes, the coolest stuff guaranteed at HMO or your money back!
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Darth as a dad could be cool, that whole Empire thing and all, though you’d have to listen to that breathing forever and ever. Whereas the ram could get you some sweet grass and oats, and you could climb hills together… of course, he’d shit all over the house too, so there’s that… Hm. I suppose neither one is the ideal candidate…
Money back? Haha it sounds like a late night local furniture store commercial… come on down to crazy HMO’s, where we’ll sell you the best metal records cheaper than the other guy! Everything must go! It’s mayhem mayhem mayhem! Why shop anywhere else? At HMO’s, you always get the metal you want at a price you’ll love! And remember, you also get the coolest stuff guaranteed at HMO, or your money back! 🙂
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Surely sweet grass and oats retrieval isn’t beyond Darth’s capability? If he could be bothered anyway.
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I like that observation about the concept either enhancing or not mattering – because the songs are great. I’m beginning to realize it always comes back to great songs!
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Yay! If you listened to this without any info I doubt you’d even guess it was a concept album.
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