Blood Vessels

Blood Vessels are a punk rock band from Boston, MA, that call to mind some of the best ’80s hardcore from SoCal. In fact, listening to this album, comparisons to the music of early Black Flag jump to mind almost immediately. The shouted-rather-than-sung vocals also call to mind the work of young Henry Rollins.

On this, their debut (and so far only) record, they channel all their influences into an album that serves as partly a tribute to this early hardcore, but also takes it and makes it their own. “Catholic Zombies” opens the record with a blaze, and the band is tight and powerful throughout. Many of the tempos aren’t quite as fast as the ones laid down by the aforementioned Black Flag, and this is miles away from the lightspeed riffing of the D.C. scene. Songs like “Not Funny” are more moderate rockers; still kicking ass in their own way, but not pummeling the listener into submission. And things slow down significantly for “So Long.”

Actually, what this album reminds me of most, now that I’m really thinking about and analyzing it, is Group Sex by the Circle Jerks. Yeah, a lot of these songs have that as the obvious reference point (along with Damaged, of course), except of course that one of the Vessels’ songs would be about 2 or 3 of the songs, length-wise, on Group Sex. Or more. Some of these songs are LONG, especially for hardcore. “Primal Urge,” for example, clocks in just over 5 minutes.

This album is great for fans of early hardcore. If you worship at the altar of Keith Morris, you’ll dig these jams. Of course, if you’re worshipping at the altar of Keith Morris, you might have white man dreadlocks, and we really need to talk.

Rating: 3.5 stars