CORROSION OF CONFORMITY — Blind (review)

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY — Blind album cover Album · 1991 · Sludge Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Blind" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US hardcore/heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity. The album was released through Relativity Records in November 1991. It´s the successor to "Animosity" from 1985, although the two albums are bridged by the "Technocracy" EP from 1987. "Animosity (1985)" featured the original trio lineup of Mike Dean (bass, lead vocals), Woody Weatherman (guitar), and Reed Mullin (drums, additional vocals). On "Technocracy (1987)" lead vocalist Simon Bob was added to the lineup, but he is not featured on "Blind" where he is replaced by Karl Agell. In addition to a new lead vocalist, second guitarist Pepper Keenan has also been added to the lineup. Bassist Mike Dean temporarily left Corrosion of Conformity in the years 1987-1993 and is replaced here by Phil Swisher.

Stylistically the music has also developed quite a lot since "Technocracy (1987)" and the other early releases by the band, which featured a hardcore/crossover thrash metal sound. "Blind" features a combination of thrash and stoner metal elements, with the scale predominantly tipping to the latter. Labelling the music on "Blind" thrash or crossover thrash is wrong in my book as especially the influence from 70s Black Sabbath is much stronger. A track like the thrashy "Damned for All Time" and the fact that Agell´s voice and delivery sometimes enter James Hetfield (Metallica) territory are probably the most weighty reasons that people sometimes label "Blind" a thrash metal release.

Agell´s voice and performance are decent enough, but when Keenan steps up to the michophone to sing "Vote With a Bullet" it´s obvious here is a singer with a much greater personality and a stronger and more distinct sounding voice. The instrumental part of the album is well performed. The riffs are heavy and mostly blues based and the rhythm section play organic and tight. The sound production is mostly well sounding, although I could have wished for a slightly more powerful guitar tone. Upon conclusion "Blind" is a good quality album by Corrosion of Conformity and definitely a step up on quality and originality compared to their previous releases but it´s not a flawless release and therefore a 3.5 star (70%) rating will do.
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