Blindside
Blindside
(Re-issued)

DRT, in cooperation with Wasa Recordings, has signed Sweden’s Blindside. The band is currently in the studio working on their new album, as yet untitled, expected out this summer. Lasse “Lars” Marten, who produced the band’s debut, is back on board and working with the band at Decibel Studios in Stockholm. Blindside’s first two albums, their self-titled debut and A Thought Crushed My Mind , have been re-issued, along with a new DVD, Ten Years Running Blind. Both albums have been digitally remastered and contain four additional bonus tracks. In addition, lead singer Christian Lindskog has designed special new artwork for the packaging of both the albums and the DVD. Blindside (1997), will feature original demos of “Superman,” “Liberty,” “Forgiven” and “Stolen,” previously only available as a limited edition released only in Stockholm in 1996.

Musically
Blindside at their purest and most unpolished form. This album has been remastered and screams out from your speakers! This was their debut album and there is a definite late 90's feel with even slight touches of rap core.  It is like forms of harder edged Red Hot Chili Peppers at time with  European metal touch. Songs like "Superman" show the old school but yet classic feel to this amazing cd! The band mixes up total variety on this disc and that song is a great example of the complexity that people often over look when talking about Blindside. "This Shoulder" is another classic hit by these Swedish men.  The thing that stands out is this is debut album from almost 10 years ago but songs like this are still amazing. The band mixes styles of thrash and old school styles of punk and notice the amazing guitar work and flat notes on "Replay." "Liberty" has a deep grinding feel with heavy bass lines and gives a feeling of an old black metal song.  "Daughter" is an awesome song and gives a lot of start and stop breaks which keep the listener on their heels ready to explode!
Now let's talk about the bands first ever demo which was originally recorded on a cassette tape in 1996. These four bonus songs are totally worth purchasing this disc! The song "Superman" comes off as a rap core style song mixed with a hard funk feel.  It was so awesome to hear the original track in it's original setting.  The bass work is incredible! "Liberty" was also thrown in and is such an amazing pure song by Blindside. It kept much of it's original form and this is just an unpolished form. "Stolen" is a bit chaotic and unstructured. It has a metal feel with a rap core touch. Great bass lines and guitar riffs pull you into the song and raise your fist in the air! "Forgiven" isn't a great track but it is so cool to see where the band came from.  This is like a history lesson for pure Blindside fans like myself! 

Vocally/Lyrically
Christian Lindskog has come a long way from his early demo days.  But one thing rings true, is you hear the compassion in his voice in every song.  Christian is a great vocal artist mixing screaming, growling and singing.  And yes, on this old school album you even hear slight variations of rap core. Rap core, whether we like it or not, helped bring more metal to the forefront. Lyrically, this is a great Blindside album.  The songs are very heartfelt and straight forward.  Songs dealing with backsliding friends, our falling away, finding redemption and relying on God fully.  I think the honest approach with the feelings of falling but making the listener stand up and take responsibility for their actions is great.  The album gives a straight focus on stop trying to do things on your own and knowing the God is the one that gets us through.

Overall, this is an amazing first cd from Blindside and I encourage everyone to get this disc, even if just for the history with the 4 demos!

"Invert"
Ouch it hurts when my shoulder hit 
Their shoulders 
Ouch want to go mainstream just like them 
God help me go bolder 
I know I'm not and I forgot that I am 
Not the one who is going to make things done 
All by myself I think I made You tiny 
But I am glad You made me see
In Your presence 
You're just growing 
And growing and I'm being just me

"Nerve"
Force me to open my mouth 
Again because they know I don't want to S
peak loud when they make me feel 
Like a boy scout 
So hard to tell them You love them to 
I can't give much if I punch back at 
The one who hits first 
Trying to make me feel ashamed 
Because I'm touched 
God help me see them 
See my thirst 
Tensed 
But still so calm 
Alright 
Leaning on your arm 
Beautiful spirit 
Talk to me 
Holy Spirit 
Walk with me