The Blood Brothers – Young Machetes
(2006)

Review by Max Roach

The Blood Brothers are punk through and through, with their newer perspective on the traditional punk genre derived from such influential acts such as At The Drive in, Iggy Pop and to a certain extent, Refused. But somehow they seem to squeeze a rather distinctive pop sound into their music without ever really coming across idiotically, making the Blood Brothers very easy to listen to despite their thrashy beats, screeching vocals and loud rich bass tones.

This album is the fifth release for the group (surprisingly, with many different directions explored throughout their earlier releases) but thankfully "Young Machetes" is a great return to a more traditional, punkier, harsher sound. The blistering punk sound rings true in the opening track, Set Fire to the Face on Fire, which along with it's eerily calm sections, is a fast paced, well schooled punk song.

There are a few slower tracks thrown in later on in the album, (Spit Shine Your Black Clouds, Street Wars / Exotic Foxholes) which manage to keep their high-pitched scratchy vocals piercing through the loud bass lines, and don’t leave you feeling ripped off that they were simply trying to stretch out an album. In fact far from it, you could even feel priveleged to have experienced some greatly talented musicians at play.

Previously the Blood Brothers have come across a lot more daring and arrogant, with this album showing a lot more maturity, which isn't always a bad thing. Laser Life is a great example of how flexible the Blood Brothers can make a punk song - with piano, fast picked guitar riffs and smashing vocals all tied up neatly into a package lasting 2:44. 

Camouflage, Camouflage shows the Blood Brothers' slower and poppier side, at times delving into an arty sound which may not be as warmly received as many of the other tracks on the album.

Overall the Blood Brothers deliver a long running exciter with no great disappointments which is always fresh and out of left field. This definitely won't be last we hear from the Blood Brothers, after the break up of Refused, it seems like that the Blood Brothers are on track to set the standard of the shape of punk to come.

A great album if you're a fan of At the Drive In, Fugazi and other traditional punk bands.

RATING: 3 out of 5