Yeah, kids, I wasn’t sure what to make of this cover art. You’d think this album is some kind of weird, washed-out Nu-Metal that’s going to give us the wrong kind of pain, but you’d not only be wrong—you’d also be surprised! Because Blood Cult is an old-school Heavy Metal band that takes you straight back to the early days, and I mean 1970s early. Many of your parents weren’t even born yet, but We’re Gonna Take Your Soul is pure Redneck Black Metal, offering a strange and possibly unique interpretation of those drugged-out times.
Does Soul have the spirit it claims? Is it really that eclectic? At first glance, it’s hard to tell. The easiest way to describe it would be thematically Black Metal but sonically Heavy Metal. However, don’t get confused—this isn’t Black ’n’ Roll. If anything, it has more in common with old Cathedral than anything else, just with a considerable speed boost. That’s gotta be fun, right? Overall, I’d say Blood Cult delivers a quirky and entertaining ride steeped in black magic. It’s not even all that extreme—your non-Metalhead friends might actually get behind it.
Expect wacky guitar solos, groovy riffs, and short, punchy tracks that keep things moving. Soul doesn’t drag you into a long ritual—it’s over before you even notice, making it easy to replay. It doesn’t ask much from the listener aside from a deep love for classic acts like Dio or Rainbow. That said, don’t expect corny Power Metal vocals—this is a full-on hillbilly throwdown. If you need your Metal to crush skulls rather than spark up the good stuff, this might feel a little out of the blue.
I have to admit, I’m not the biggest fan of Metal that leans this far into retro territory. It’s fun and enjoyable, but it doesn’t stick with me for long—it doesn’t have that pain! And that’s just a personal take. This is me stepping outside my usual comfort zone, and as much as I find Soul intriguing, it still goes against my nature. Also, I just can’t match the artwork with the music, which might be my most nitpicky complaint in the history of MER Industries.
So, for my audience who pops a knee every now and then, or for the kids who want to feel cool and different from their peers, Blood Cult offers a rare chance to enjoy a guilty pleasure that’s nearly extinct in today’s extreme Metal scene. For once, I’ll say don’t judge a book by its cover—this time, the presentation is completely deceptive. But maybe that’s the whole point of this witchcraft, to wrap us in confusion and make the experience even more entertaining. Anyway, after all this, I’m gonna need some good old-fashioned science to bring me back to normal. Cheers!
Label: Self-released?
Release date: February 14, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/bloodcult
Country: USA
Score: Voodoo your way to a 3.0/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 