The Future State of Wicked

Binge on some tasty riffs
dB rating: 8/10

Release Date: April 17, 2017
Label: Hells Headbangers

Blood Feast return with their first new album in 28 years—although, we should go back further than that even, since guitarist Adam Tranquilli bailed before the Jersey cult’s second LP, 1989’s Chopping Block Blues. So, really, it’s been 30 years since Tranquilli, BF’s only remaining original member, last appeared on a Blood Feast album.

Opening with “I.N.R.I.,”—which itself commences with a blasting, wailing roar—The Future State of Wicked isn’t some album helmed by an aging metalhead who’s had some flight of fancy and subsequently decided to get back into death-thrash. Rather, nowadays Blood Feast sound like Tranquilli has thought about this record every day for the past 30 years. Future State is practically a debut album, as this record is the first time in which drummer Joe Moore, bassist Tom Lorenzo, vocalist Chris Natalini, and guitarists CJ Scioscia and Tranquilli have recorded a metal album together. Then just listen to… well, every track. You don’t even have to pay attention—your body will feel what’s happening and respond appropriately. Because these riffs are sharp, barbed with hooks and flung about with expert grace and precision, the songwriting is impeccable, the solos will restore your faith in the joys of bombastic metal, the vocals sound like a red-faced Sam Kinison, and for a band composed entirely of middle-aged dudes, The Future State of Wicked is the most energetic and enthusiastic record I’ve heard in years. And that cover art definitely warrants getting the vinyl, too.

— Dutch Pearce

This review taken from the June 2017 issue. The Future State of Wicked is available on vinyl from Hells Headbangers.

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