Alright, Switchblade Jesus from Corpus Christi, TX, rocked my world and laid down the law with their self-titled debut back in 2013. Well, honestly I didn't hear about them until Ripple Music reissued that album in 2015. Their dirty lowdown southern boogie heavy rock really appealed to me and I've been digging them since. After this they went from a quintet to a trio and gradually the sound shifted. Through a demo, a split LP and a single the Southern-ness is there in the darkness of the songs but on their sophomore full-length, 'Death Hymns', Switchblade Jesus has gone for a heaviness and brutality only remotely present in the 2019 single 'Who Was In My Room Last Night'. But that single did not prepare me for what was in store on the new album.
Containing 7 songs in all, 'Death Hymns' doesn't shy away from anything. It's fast, furious and relentless simply pounding the listener to dust, whereas previously they sort of would do it but with groove, riffs and southern darkness. Now it's total annihilation from start to finish. Another change is that founding members Eric Calvert, guitar and vocals, and Jon Elizondo, drums, have been joined by a new bassist, Chris Black keeping the trio format they've had for quite some time.
After a desolate intro which gives the impression of a barren landscape 'Scorched' comes at you at full speed. It's like stoner meets punk while riding on a speeding train. No holds barred and pretty badass! 'Red Plains' picks up the torch and bulldozes it's way through. Switchblade Jesus show no mercy and simply crushes. 'Behind The Monolith' brings forth the band of old but with the new furious bite they have obtained. This is a neckbreaking riff-fest and I absolutely love it! The title track follows and is the "odd" one out. It's slow and short with a thick, deep bassline leading the way. Throughout the guitar plays a solo in the background with a faint desperate voice talking and screaming creating a death hymn, if you like. Brilliant, indeed.
'Forgotten' picks up the pace but it is still on the slower side, like Helmet going sludge. In parallel with 'Death Hymns' it gives the listener some room to breathe even though the band works really well at demolishing you. And so they do when 'Behemoth' explodes. Hardcore, metal and a dose of Motörhead comes at you and there's nowhere to hide. At 2:31 this breaks you in half long before that time is over....beware! Closer 'The Blackened Sun' is more akin to Switchblade Jesus apart from the vocals. Those vocal cords are straight from hell and are perfect for this song and the entire album.
These guys show that you can change your music around quite drastically without losing the plot. What I mean is usually when a band sheds their skin nothing of the old band remains. Switchblade Jesus, on the other hand, has done the opposite and the outcome is great. It takes guts to do this but if you don't have any fear, the music will be worthwhile, and then some. Kudos, Switchblade Jesus, and thanks for a brilliant new album!
-Swedebeast
