There are records that are like comfort food for me in that the music hits the right spot no matter what, and the caloric content doesn’t matter because sometimes it’s OK to just indulge in good shit. I’m not going to go on a run of albums I classify in this category because I don’t feel like it, but I think we all have these, and any visit with them is fulfilling in ways maybe others don’t understand.

“Blood Sabbath” is the first full-length from Serpent Corpse, and from the first time I heard it, it filled me up with what I need from a metal band. It’s doomy, there are death vibes, and there’s a punk bravado that is impossible to miss. It’s music to soundtrack your mania or a healthy sojourn into madness that this band (a lineup is hard to find, some folks may have left, but this is the best one I can find)—guitarists Adam Breault, Chris Lecroix, vocalist/bassist Andrew Haddad, drummer Zachariah Su—committed to tape and unleashed upon an unsuspecting world. It’s a good, smearing time you won’t forget.

“Spell of the Eternal Serpent” is a quick intro cut that collects noise, zaps, and a synth haze, the guitars dripping and bleeding into “Electric Eye” that’s thrashy and fiery. The vocals are more like a monstrous yell, Haddad howling, “With a metal fist, we shall crush,” as the leads swell, and burnt offerings are left behind. “Nemesis” chars as drums hammer, the playing trudges, and the vocals echo, sending shivers down the spine. Guitars fire up and scorch as the driving power pushes into your chest, the darkness swelling and weighing down on your soul. “Let the Rats Feed” brings explosive guitars and raw howls, the humidity increasing dangerously and pushing into your psyche. Bruising thrashing makes its way through as the tension builds dangerously, the howls lurching through suddenly jarring speed before blasting out. “Land of Rot and Misfortune” is a mind fucker from the start, opening a hole in your belly and tunneling through, calculated hell making the blows rain down with precision. The guitars creep before taking on a Slayer feel, storming with fire before fading into madness.

“Crucifixion Shrine” is an all-out brawl, dealing decimating punishment as the guitars spiral and aggravate your balance. The track takes on a dark punk energy as the playing barrels through barriers, landing huge blows before ending with jolting energy. “Swallowed Whole By the Abyss” brings welling guitars that eventually burst into a gutting explosion, howls absolutely destroying whatever’s in front of it. The playing chugs massively and begins to feel more dangerous, the strange vocals melting your brain and letting it drip from your ears. “Dreams of Crows” is hazy and doomy when it dawns, the guitars eventually speeding up and trampling with precision. The pall of torment returns as the knives are driven hard, the mashing energy teaming with curdling wails to end everything in muck. The closing title track arrives with acidic vocals, and a catchy but heavy attack that gets blood flowing. The playing keeps gaining speed and wilting heat, blistering savagely, letting the blood boil in your veins. The noise picks up as the guitars melt, echoes hypnotizes, and the insanity drains into the dark.

“Blood Sabbath” is a record that you don’t have to think about too hard for it to hit you like a ton of bricks, and that’s not to suggest the album isn’t packed with smart content. It’s just that Serpent Corpse have a power and allure that pulls you in, no matter what section of the dark metallic arts you call your favorite. This is vicious, a blast of fun, and a record that’ll keep your adrenaline flowing with carnage.

For more on the band, go here: https://serpentcorpse.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://serpentcorpse.bandcamp.com/album/blood-sabbath

Or here: https://templeofmystery.ca/product-category/serpent-corpse/

For more on the label, go here: https://templeofmystery.ca/