Search - Corrosion of Conformity :: Blind

Review in response to: "A lyrical history of C.O.C."

_uncle_remus_ | Richmond Virginia | 05/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album *is* critical to the history of C.O.C. in that is has pivotal bass player Phil Swisher (former Guitar Player for Bloodbath, Unicef, and A Number of Things; also former Guitar player for No Labels [ as a replacement for Ricky Hicks who left the band to sell soap for AMWAY of all things ]. Blind represents a pivotal period of Corrosion of Conformity. Your history is pretty much true to the evolution of C.O.C. You're aware, of course, the "EyE for an EyE" wasn't there first released recording. It was actually their fourth recording. Their third recording was a compilation EP called "WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?" that also included area bands like "BloodMobile" from Statesville NC. Their second release came out exclusively on cassette tape and it was called "NO CORE." "NO CORE" also included area bands like No Labels and COLCOR. Their first recording (on which the lead singer was a nerdy african-american magnet school student by the name of Garrick Francis). Garrick predates Benji and was (i'm pretty sure) the first lead singer for the band. The only public shows that Garrick actually did, that I'm aware of, took place on Turner Street. This recording was released as a 45 (EP) with 6 very short songs on it. It was typical thrash. This EP was called "Mommy" and only a very few were actually released. I'm sure that anyone owning a copy of "Mommy" is guarding it with his life because it is worth a pretty penny. BTW: in terms of the evolution of things. Before Reed Mullin was kicked out of the band it was rumored that he wanted to release an album that was a successor to "Eye for an Eye" that would be called "We've got an Eye fot the Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis). The proceeds were going to go to the primate conservation center at Duke University. The rest of band never really shared Reed's political convictions and they figured that he had just gone too far with this idea. It's too bad really. This is unstantiated to take it with a grain of salt."

Pollished? yes, but still corrosive!

rodney rainey | louisville ky usa | 03/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"c.o.c. is one of the few hardcore bands that didn't crossover in the 80s but after 89s barley listenable "technocricy" they had to do somthing ."blind" is one of my favorite c.o.c. albums .it was the tinkering w/ what would become their sound today.karl agell gets a bad rap for his lean toward a mainstream vocal style ,but its no more mainstream than what phil from pantera & kyle from exhorder were doing at the time.i personally love it.it fits the music.the entire cd jams from beggining to end but i must say the highlights are tacks 9 "vote w/ a bullet" (pepper keenan on lead vox) & 10 "great purification" an anthem w/ some trance elements. i highly recommend "blind""

Revolutionary Rock!!!

skulliest | Edmonton, Alberta Canada | 05/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To call this album a rock album would almost be an insult. Some people call it punk/hardcore, but to me it will always be metal. And now that I've pigeonholed this CD to death, I'll move on to the music. Corrosion Of Conformity serves up some unforgiving, politically motivated anger with Blind. The guitar tone has a punishing crunch that has been hard to parallel in my mind. With the bass pushing that crunch, this is one heavy listen... I love it! Nothing will guarantee you a speeding ticket quicker than 'Dance Of The Dead' or 'Mine Are The Eyes Of God'. 'Vote With A Bullet' spells out COC's political views very clearly, and also manages to wrap it up in one awesome tune! Even the slowest song on the CD, 'Echoes In The Well', manages to churn out some dark and brooding overtones. Every single song on here is heavy and uncompromising. The lyrics are very poignant and intelligent. Amidst so many bands who, lately like to pose as revolutionary, Corrosion Of Conformity take a shot at 'The Man' that is, without dispute, the most real and profound yet. A lot of bands have come and gone, taking some inspiration from Corrosion Of Conformity, yet these guys continue to go on (granted under a different style). This CD represents the high point of their songwriting and musical career."