Bloodgood

Item: Detonation
Author: Doug Van Pelt

Detonation

(1987)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

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Label Frontline RecordsHeaven's Metal #12May 1987

heavy metal speed metal thrash metal

Detonation by Bloodgood is the best album in Christian metal. Anybody wanna argue? I doubt it. This album is so good...Ow! It smokes!! The highlights are probably: the vocals; the guitar; the drumming; the bass; the songwriting; and the lyrics. I think you get the picture: this album does not fall short in any category. This album literally breathes with power. The production on this album shows that the recording quality of Christian record labels is improving. The album especially comes alive for me now that I've seen them live. Their brilliant performance of the songs live has left vivid impressions that I can see when I listen to the record. This band can stand up to Judas Priest, Scorpions, Metallica, anyone. They are one of the heavyweights of Christian metal. Well, metal period. "Battle of the Flesh" starts the album off, shredding your speakers with each note. We hear extra mixing not on the Metal Missionaries demo, like Mark Welling's ability to count to four. "Vagrant People" struts Bloodgood's original flair with the inclusion of the bass chorus of "Look to the past from which you've come/ Gaze in the fire eternal son/ Repulse the dark and evil one." "Self Destruction" charges off with some snappy drumming and cowbell ringing. This is one of my favorites on the album. It's a very heavy and confrontational song for the unsaved. It's as "in-your-face" as any of the grime and sleaze that worldly bands emit. This message is filled with so much truth, it repulses evil and comes right against it. "Alone in Suicide" is another standout song that is very clean and powerful. The emotion packed in it is slowly released as the tempo builds and then lets loose. David and Les get extra special slaps on the back for this one. Other highlights are the matching songs of "Crucify" and "The Messiah." The live performance of "Crucify" is unforgettable. A strobe light kicks in as Les portrays Jesus. His persecution is dramatized as David viciously kicks Him when He's down. His body violently flies to the other side of the stage as Michael's foot lands Him on the other side of His ribs, and He flops back in David's direction for more punishment. It is a very vivid picture of the hate that manifested during Jesus' persecution. I believe Bloodgood is using art in its highest form: to glorify God. I give up on saying any more on this album. I'll just trip over my tongue, which is hanging out in astonishment to the high quality of this record. Other input may help here: Kosher, of One Bad Pig, said, "I think the number one and two best albums in Christian metal are Detonation and Bloodgood's debut album, respectively." Bob Hopkins gives it a rating of 92 out of 100. What I think we're all saying is, "If you don't get this album, you're crazy!!"