Dellacoma frontman Dellacoma Rio has been a somewhat polarising and controversial figure over the last 18 months (if you know, then you know).
But no matter whether you agree or disagree with him, this review isn't about political or conspiratorial beliefs deriving from Covid-19, this review is about the band's sophomore release 'Blood', and after giving this beast a spin on the good ol' BCC gramophone, I can guarantee that no one will be divided over the quality of this album, as it's a 24k solid gold banger!
'Blood' has been a labour of love between Rio and collaborator Voya Milutinovic (of Bad Moon Born fame), who served as producer and Guitarist on the album, and was also co-writer on approximately half of the tracks featured.
It's certainly taken plenty of Blood, sweat and tears to bring this album to fruition, with line up changes, personal issues, and a pandemic threatening to derail it's release.
But now that it's arrived, it's most certainly been worth the wait!
Album opener 'Adrenaline' is a solid track to kick off 'Blood', full of upbeat, chest thumping vigour, serving as a springboard to the album proper.
But, it's only when it's followed by the one-two punch of 'Defiance' (an angry, Guns ‘n Roses style rocker, which could slide in nicely beside any track on either ‘Use Your Illusion’ album) and 'Kill Your Idols' (the first single from 'Blood', featuring legendary L.A Guns Guitarist, Tracii Guns) that the listener will well and truly sit up and take notice that they're in for one hell of ride.
4th track, ‘Akashic Memory’ is where Rio’s introspective side is first revealed, diving down into the depths of the song titles direct meaning, that 'Akashic Memory' is the repository of all collective thoughts, experiences and emotions of every living being, past, present and future, all while being wrapped in a high energy track that ripples and cascades with powerful exuberance.
Follow up song ‘Leave A Light On’ continues the introspective theme, but in a much more subdued way, slowing the pace down (but giving up none of the impact), allowing the album some much needed breathing room from the beautiful chaos that preceded this track.
‘I Don’t Want It’ ups the momentum yet again, with a song that reminds you that this is first and foremost a rock album, and it rocks HARD!
Which brings us to ‘Lady Undertaker’, an ambitiously vast song that wraps around you like an anaconda, building up from a foundation of transcendent production, to a crescendo that soars like an eagle with a ballistic missile strapped to it’s back! This song is, without question, the nexus point on which the rest of the album orbits, like an aural red giant that's about to go Supernova!
The final three tracks consist of ‘Red Pill Pocketwatch’ (which slams into high gear with crunching guitars and a bombastic, freefalling smash-mouth vibe. It’s come to kick your ass, and it ain’t taking any prisoners!), ‘Seven Years’ (a serviceable song. Arguably the weakest track on the album, but by no means a weak song. It just suffers in comparison to the rest of 'Blood'), and ‘Stay’ (which ends the album on a lighter, and somewhat sombre note, but also with a hint of hope).
Dellacoma Rio displays a much more inward looking focus with his lyrics on 'Blood', which is not surprising (and also very relatable) as many of us have had no choice but to do some much needed soul searching over the last year and a half.
Kudos need to go out to the musicians that contributed their talents to ‘Blood’, including Drummer Noel Tenny (ex- White Widdow), Bassist, Jaron Gulino (Tantric. Heavens Edge, ex- Mach 22 - all tracks except ‘Defiance’), Bassist, Mat Robins (Cicadastone - played on ‘Defiance’), and Keyboardist Adrian Sorgini, who carried the stellar musicianship through on all 10 of the outstanding tracks that made the album.
'Blood' takes just as many risks as it brings crowd pleasing moments, but those risks pay off in spades, showing another side of this talented artist that was only hinted at on the band's debut album (2015's 'South Of Everything').
Perhaps the delay was a blessing in disguise, and that extra time was exactly what 'Blood' needed to truly shine!
Now we just need to hear these tracks live….
Bring on the tour!!!
Highlights - 'Lady Undertaker', 'Kill Your Idols', 'Akashic Memory', 'Leave A Light On', 'Red Pill Pocketwatch', 'Defiance'
Rating - 8.75 / 10
(Reviewer - Byron More)
Links --
Dellacoma Website (CD)
Apple Music
Spotify
Amazon Music
