BUCKETHEAD — Pike 178 - 29 Days Til Halloween: Blurmwood (review)

BUCKETHEAD — Pike 178 - 29 Days Til Halloween: Blurmwood album cover

Album · 2015 · Thrash Metal

4/5 · 2015-12-09
siLLy puPPy

PIKE 178 - 29 DAYS TIL HALLOWEEN: BLURMWOOD is the 77th album released by BUCKETHEAD in 2015 and the 3rd installment in the countdown to HALLOWEEN. Once again all is instrumental and all is exclusively performed by BUCKETHEAD. This one has four tracks all titled “Blurmwood” in 4 parts. The album is almost a half hour in length at 29:07.

“Blurmwood Part 1” at 13:35 which is the longest track immediately starts out differently than the previous two ambient PIKES. This one has a drone type of buzz that oscillates a bit but is accompanied by a percussive stomp of some kind until it finally gives into a Middle Eastern sounding groove that has guitar, bass and drum all sounding like they are marching along in a mid-tempo nonchalant manner. The scales used for the melody are a bit exotic. This is clearly no ambient album in the countdown to HALLOWEEN series as guitar solos erupt out of the melody and attack the senses. I love this one as it is hypnotic as hell but yet has some cool time sig change freak outs that don’t last long but break the monotonous flow as do the occasional guitar solos. Around the five minute mark the track totally changes its entire makeup and becomes a heavy thrash metal rocker with solos and heavy riffs. This is very well done. It has a cool epic metal feel to it. Atmospheric thrash metal maybe? Some of the solos are similar to those off of “Monsters And Robots.” Another favorite track from the whole PIKE series.

“Blurmwood Part 2” is a short 3:32 and unlike other PIKES with the same name for titles plus numbers doesn’t blend with the other tracks. This is quite distinct and begins as another atmospheric thrash metal rocker with speed thrash riffs that alternate with slower jangly guitar riffs. Very cool in how the atmospheric elements smooth out the thrash elements and the thrash gives the smoothness a serious edge. The riffs are for the most part galloping at full speed while the jangly sections just seem jittery and unable to take full form. It all creates a nice tension. Eventually a solo alternates with the jangly riffs. Another great track.

“Blurmwood Part 3” at 7:41 starts out in a mid-tempo jangly state with guitars distorted and squealing with heavy bass and drums. The lead guitar is slightly out of tune creating a tense dissonance with the rhythm section but gives way to a slightly off and creepy riff. The soloing goes from frenetic and then morphs into an electronic sound that slows down and then disappears abruptly only to bring a heavy riff back again. More trade offs ensue but the pattern of riffs, solos, electronics etc continues with some cool little ideas thrown in for good measure. Another really good track.

“Blurmwood Part 4” at 4:19 starts off with a nice drum roll and some really hot upper register guitar riffs. Everything is on fire from the beginning as some of the riffs sound a lot like Eddie Van Halen’s early days particular the type on the first album like “Jayme’s Cryin” but the bass and drums are really hot as well. It sounds like a real drummer unlike some of the PIKES that sound very electronic. This is more of a classic metal sound but still has thrashy gallops. The solos are sizzling and a little freaky as they dance around the thrashy riffs. Very cool.

Love this PIKE. Another favorite amongst the crowd. This is just perfectly executed from beginning to finish. Highly recommended for thrash metal lovers who love high speed intensity with thought paid attention to aesthetics and other features. Kind of a tech thrash album in a way without emphasizing the tech too much. Flows very nicely.