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Devil's Blood, The: The Thousandfold ...

Melodic Psychedelic/Stoner Rock

4.5/5.0

Metal Blade Records/Van Records
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by Craig Hartranft,  12.26.2011

Despite the enigmatic information surrounding the Netherlands band, both personnel and philosophy, The Devil's Blood struck a chord with fans and critics alike with their retro-classic rock on their 2009 The Time of No Time Evermore. The return in 2011 with The Thousandfold Epicentre with more vintage melodic, psychedelic and stoner, hard rock channeling a wash of Jefferson Airplane, early BOC, and maybe a little Hawkwind. To compound the mystery, or confound the listener, tDB offers their hypnotic music with overtures to pagan and occult themes. Not exactly a novel gimmick, but considering the recent rise of such acts, at least they don't dress up like druids and anti-popes ala Ghost.

Strand philosophy or lyrical themes aside, The Devil's Blood succeeds best with their music. Often both ethereal and eerie, surreal and dreamy, the band weaves melodies and harmonies with a benignly strong rhythm section and hypnotic guitar work, all with effortless ease. Add a touch of the Hammond, and you're ready to revisit 1973. The best efforts on The Thousandfold Epicentre are found on the longer pieces, such as On the Wings of Gloria, Cruel Lover, The Madness of Serpents or the profound Feverdance, where the band is able to stretch and soar. Again, with remarkable ease, tDB captures your interest from the start of each song and hold you to the end.

The Devil's Blood's The Thousandfold Epicentre is fine follow up to their debut, offering a consistency of sound and purpose in melodic psychedelic stoner hard rock. If you can skip over the pagan (or whatever) mumbo jumbo, you will find this disc to be quite entertaining. Recommended.

The Devil's Blood's The Thousandfold Epicentre is fine follow up to their debut, offering a consistency of sound and purpose in melodic psychedelic stoner hard rock.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]