TARDY BROTHERS

Bloodline

Candlelight Records/ CD 2009

After a successful project of Max and Igor Cavalera (CAVALERA CONSPIRACY) another famous brothers decided to form a family band and make some noise. I mean John and Donald Tardy from a legendary Florida- based death metal act OBITUARY. „This project is something Donald and I have talked about and planned for many years- commented John- and we just never had the time to do it. With the addition of our new studio, it has finally given us the abilitity to get this music recorded.” To make the whole thing possible TARDY BROTHERS (the official name of the band) were forced to enlist some talented and skilled shredders. The support came from a few great guitar players. The album features guest appearances of Ralph Santolla (who used to play with OBITUARY for a while), Jerry Tidwell (the original EXECUTIONER member), John Li (19 year old axeman, known from ORDER OF ENNEAD) and brothers' long time friend Scott Johnson.

John Tardy describes the album as something „that's not supposed to sound like OBITUARY”. That's interesting. The more so because OBITUARY's influences can be felt in almost every track featured on this CD. Characteristic guitars and drums sound, John's vocals, death metal direction, that's fairly enough to make such comparisons. Occasionally, TARDY BROTHERS manage to overcome the abovementioned flaws by delivering the kind of melodies and atmosphere that don't sound exactly the same like their main band. I think "Scream Descendent" is a good example of a song that stands out. Instrumental, semi-acoustic "Wired" is another composition that should be mentioned here. Listening to the other seven, mostly slow and mid-tempo songs featured on this album („Deep Down” is the only fast cut) I get the impression they are all following the same primitive-based songwriting scheme, the same basic formula. Some ideas gathered on "Bloodline" have kind of intentionally rough sound edge known from "World Demise" for example. Some others sound almost like unfinished pieces. I don't have anything against primitivism in metal music, but sometimes it just doesn't work. Sometimes bands need to come up with more than two riffs per song to keep the music interesting. Even these never ending guitar solos played by the aforementioned special guests can't help. Even the greatest guitar solo played by the greatest musician won't make a song special. No pain no gain. It's not so easy to leave a lasting mark in the history of extreme metal music.

There's a small light at the end of the tunnel, fortunately. The Founding Brothers did a great job on this album. John once again proven himself to be one of the best death metal singers in history (his unique vocals still sound like lion's roaring) and Donald managed to play some pretty simple yet very cool rhythms and keep these monotonous songs moving forward.

„Bloodline” is another death metal album that sounds almost like OBITUARY ("almost" makes a big difference). Sorry, but I couldn't find anything special, unique or intriguing on that release (I find it rather boring). "Bloodline" will go down in history as another mediocre album. It should appeal to the diehard fans of Tardy Brothers. For the others it's just a waste of time and money.

5/12