Luckily, I have been listening to the Metal Blade Records promo fro the new Bloodclot album, Up in Arms. First, you may ask: that John Joseph project? with Biohazard, Spudmonsters, and Pro-Pain dudes? again? Unfortunately, many people disparage that self-released 2008 record, Burn Babylon Burn! I, on the other hand, love that record and blast it loudly as I scream along to revolutionary tirades with heavy crunching breakdowns.
But erase that image. Despite being named the same, minus an exclamation point, Bloodclot is based on vicious, speedy, old-school NYHC riffs from Todd Youth. Youth, of course played in Agnostic Front, Murphy's Law, and Warzone. He then went off to D-Generation and then, Danzig. But back to NYHC sounds, Youth brought veteran rockers, Nick Oliveri (Kyuss, QOTSA, Vista Chino - love that record!- BL'AST! and Dwarves) and Joey Castillo (LA's Wasted Youth, QOTSA and Danzig/Son of Sam with Todd Youth). I will admit as a non-QOTSA fan, I was nervous when i saw this line-up. But that is my small mind being stubborn. This album is a triumph.
Since 2008, I have lamented, as much as I rampage to Cro-Mags' current vibrant energetic live line-up when they play, John Joseph's reluctance to create new music and simply thrive on Cro-Mags' legacy. Bloodclot! was brilliant. Certainly, he could have some magic left. He sure as fuck does. On Metal Blade will afford them opportunities.
The April release date has been delayed until July 17th, 2017. And Metal Blade does not want the music played or really even discussed. All I will say is that it moves like fire.Here are dates announced today for a tour with the mighty champs of cynicism and raging old school hardcore (which these days sound like grind), speaking of killing it in the 2000's live, and needing new material, ha ha ha.... Negative Approach! Can you imagine that show?!? Going to be severe.
But if you missed the title track being released, it is on:
NOISEY
Bloodclot tour dates
w/ Negative Approach
July 14 - Amityville, NY - Revolution Bar and Music Hall
July 15 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
July 16 - Washington DC - DC9
July 18 - Virginia Beach, VA - Shaka's
July 19 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
July 20 - Belmar, NJ - Paul's Tavern
July 21 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
July 23 - Buffalo, NY - Studio at the Waiting Room
July 25 - Pittsburgh, PA - Cattivo
July 26 - Cleveland, OH - Now That's Class
July 27 - Cincinnati, OH - Northside Yacht Club
July 28 - Detroit, MI - The Magic Stick
July 29 - Chicago, IL - Cobra Lounge
July 30 - St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill
Aug. 1 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
Aug. 3 - San Francisco, CA - Thee Parkside
Aug. 4 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echoplex w/ Nails, Final Conflict
Aug. 5 - Santa Ana, CA - The Constellation Room w/ Nails, Final Conflict
Aug. 6 - San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick w/ Nails, Final Conflict
Metal Blade released this John Joseph quote:
"In this band, we're doing what each of us have always done: give it our all," John Joseph states plainly. "We work hard, and we have a lot to say. Look around the planet - people are fed up with the corrupt ruling class. They destroy the planet and kill millions for profit, and the formula for our response is simple: Anger + applied knowledge = results. Don't just bitch. Change it."
