Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Bible of the Devil > Freedom Metal > Reviews
Bible of the Devil - Freedom Metal

Ride Until The Break Of Day (Chasing Ghosts Away!) - 92%

CHAIRTHROWER, September 6th, 2018
Written based on this version: 2008, CD, Cruz del Sur Music

Amiably thumping its rampant and upbeat 90s desert rock meets 00s trad metal revivalist "quiddity" (i.e. style, essence) is Chicago's Bible of the Devil, formed way back in '99 and boasting of seven jackpot winning full-lengths, with proud "daredevil" number six, 08's Freedom Metal (unleashed under the heroic Cruz del Sur Music), illustriously condensing more novelty, as well as diversity, within eight mercurial mid to upper-mid tempo, brazenly long-winded "wry n' dry" grit-sters than the sheer groundbreaking scope of the 1893 World Colombian Exposition - or, rather, 11th official World's Fair The Windy City successfully hosted and, about which, for the past 125 years, loftily boasted (hence, legitimate origin of said metropolis' subtly teasing and sardonic moniker which trumps the broad assumption it derives from wind gusts blown off Lake Michigan).

First things first: pay no mind to the enduring Mid-Western quartet's rather cumbersome and unwieldy handle. If anything, it suitably conveys the band's cheekily urbane, free-wheeling demeanor which draws parallels from a number of blues focused, red-blooded American outfits such as Alabama Thunderpussy, Boulder, Dirty Power, Freedom Hawk, Knightmare, Nebula, Suplecs and, Hell, one more skirting Illinois' Southern border in Carbondale's umlaut-happy Züül. Nevertheless, there's no denying said festive sonic "grimoire" - pray tell, is that binding genuine epidermis?! - readily sticks out by way of sly, mesmerizing vocals fervently pumped out with reckless abandon as well as diabolically catchy grooves, hooks and all sorts of "easter eggs", be they plucky, intrepid bass lines, cranky, slow-burning riff revolutions, or feral and exquisitely volatile leads which sizzle and flare at the drop of a faded, sun-bleached Tilley hat.

Such game enthusiasm and relish is predominantly hatched by BoftD's philosophic and mature, however enigmatic, lyrical content running the gauntlet from "character studies" and "historical tales" (a time-honored heavy metal template for sure, if Iron Maiden's ubiquitous narrative fare offers any indication) to "drugs" and "kicking ass".

Although the first couple of level-headed topics plausibly applies to the three-quarters of an hour long album's softened up, secondary schmoozers - namely, the radio-friendly but irritatingly bopping "Heat Feeler" and paired up, back-to-back finales, the alt-rocking, waggishly vertiginous "Greek Fire" in tandem with mildly progressive, not to mention fiercely Thin Lizzy-ish, "500 More", the lot of which constitute a decidedly anti-climatic finish to an otherwise dense & implosive release. On the auspicious side of things, regarding the "Bad Book"'s said inspirational forebear, a rare, precious gem is gleaned from ridiculously sleek, albeit equally emotional, rendition of "'Ol Girl" - an obscure but stunning selection which swoops in with such surreptitious, spartan grace, you're easily forgiven for casting as Devil Bible original. Either way, and despite its diabetic sugary-sweetness, here, Phil Lynott (RIP) was at the top of his game.

(I can't get enough of "Ol' Girl, you know I like trouble, get away, disappear on the double!".)

Further highlights include bayou drifter "Turn to Stone", with its hazy guitar progression and pleasantly supine "pentatonics" reminiscent of Fireball Ministry (not to mention the New Orleans' Suplecs' homey "whistlin' Dixie" languor) and, above all, imperatively titled, 6.5 minute long "Womanize", an effervescently drawn-out knicker-buncher which masterfully captures Bible of the Devil's sincere albeit lively ribaldry worthy of Benny Hill or any standard-bearing sixteenth century Lothario (!) thanks to its swiftly razor-ed - perhaps even heliocentric and gyroscopic - shuffle/shag/shuffle riff and lofty snare bouts. Suffice to say, it's such an unforgettably chill song, akin to a first-rate and consummate, extended Boulder classic, "Back For The Show", from the ravenously ripping Ohioans' 2002 masterwork under New York's trend-setting Tee Pee Records, "Reaped In Half: Acts I & II".

Urf...where the rubber meets the road, consider Bible of the Devil's Freedom Metal a sure-fire, dead-to-rights keeper...until the (advent of that scurrilous) Grim "Keeper"!

"Roll the dice and take your chances
Cut the cards and name your price
Bet twice for the spirit life
Your fate is sealed alone..."

Their best yet - 96%

olo, January 13th, 2009

Bible of the Devil went into the studio as usual to record another album with Sanford Parker sometime in 2008. While if you're already a fan of their brand of old school dirty-and-raw metal with precise twin harmonies on their Gibson Flying Vs, gruff vocals, razor sharp riffs and some beerbang-worthy songs, this new one (and their fifth so far) titled Freedom Metal is for you, no contest. But let me tell you something right at the start - there's nothing usual about what they've managed to pull off here. Agreed, their run so far has been nothing short of splendid. Their last album Diabolical Procession though, was a bit too slam-bam metal leaning towards the darker side. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I've come to expect a Cocaine Years every now and then in their albums. The good news is, Freedom Metal has got that and more.

Hijack the Night is an instant winner as the album opener. It even possesses a chorus that wipes the floor with most of what Blackie Lawless came up with during his peak. Night Oath shows off their more thrashy palm muted riffing style but with Hoffman's gruff vocals laid on top of them and with the galloping harmonies providing the more 80s vibe, this ends up sounding like no one else but this band. The Turning Stone oozes cool yet again. These guys prove that they're not just experts in nailing the biker-metal attitude, but also that they're not content with rehashing tried and tested ideas or quoting classic riffs for full nostalgic effect. What you see here is completely fresh, yet classic. They always bring in interesting riffing ideas, changes, melodies and never seem to repeat themselves. Their knack of writing non-cheesy singalong choruses is astounding as proven on this song, the song that follows it and pretty much throughout the album. Womanize shows yet another dimension of their rhythm playing and how they put them together to make the final product. The fast picked riffs, the more spaced out pre-chorus part and back to the fast picking for the chorus, and then juxtapose the rhythmic riffing with some amazing twin harmonies. Brilliant!

The next two songs is what I was talking about earlier. For Heat Feeler, they break away from all the badassery and dig out some classic Blue-Oyster-Cult-isms till the chorus-outro kicks in for a great heavy ending to the song. Ol' Girl on the other hand is just what the doctor ordered. This might just be the best Lizzyesque song that Phil Lynott never wrote and has truly climbed right to the top and taken Cocaine Years' place as my favourite song by the band. Hoffman also goes through a complete transformation as a vocalist on these two songs and brings out his more soulful style. Greek Fire is back to business as usual. Greg Spalding slamming away like he's playing in a garage band over some of the most energetic nwobhm type songwriting we've seen so far on the album. The album closer 500 More puts them squarely in the epic metal ballpark ala Colossus, though with their trademark bearded drunken dirt.

Sanford Parker's current streak of production/engineering credits puts him right at the top for me and I can just about blindly check out anything that he churns out. But we already know Bible of the Devil and all they've done is to have put out their best damn album yet with Freedom Metal, and one of yours truly's picks from 2008. A must-listen to fans of heavy metal guitars.

Originally written for http://kvltsite.com

Like a Honey-Flavored Beer - 91%

GuntherTheUndying, November 30th, 2008

Stoner metal is an esoteric genre: not widely popular, yet not scorned by metal fans. I enjoy the sound occasionally, but “Freedom Metal” made me cherish the sweet sound much more than I ever could have anticipated. Bible of the Devil hasn’t received a ton of press or record sales, but I’ve never heard a single group redefine a certain measure in such a positive way as these gentlemen have so elegantly contributed. Needless to say, the band fits dangerously well within Cruz Del Sur’s fantastic roster of colorful factions, and now they got the stoners real music for the pot-smoking characters to enjoy. Please sir, I want some more!

One thing that really caught my eye about this CD was how charismatic Bible of the Devil acts when unified; all members display special qualities that contribute vast profit. The album’s production is raw as meat: sloppy (yet fun) guitars, smashing bass, pounding percussion, and rough vocals, but without any studio magic or cheatin’ bullshit. As the process catches a swell atmosphere for “Freedom Metal,” hard-edged riffs built on speedy platforms and upbeat tinges conspire under a single sun as cycling percussion and blazing solos fly around. Now try eight anthems built upon this structure! Sometimes a little thrash riffing enters the picture, of course with that dirty production making the pattern incredibly fantastic. Interestingly enough, Bible of the Devil’s approach needs to be experienced in order for one to fully understand how creative these gentlemen are. They don’t just apply one unique quality hovering about, but more flavors than Willie Wonka’s fucking wallpaper, minus the shenanigans. It’s raunchy, dirty, and downright genius.

Vocally, Mark Hoffmann displays an amazing southern-like attribute within his timeless voice that obtains rigged barks filled with emotion and devastating character. More so, Hoffmann adapts so easily within the sound of “Freedom Metal” whether a calming ballad takes aim or a mid-paced rocker enters the scene. The variety discovered when digging under his voice acts as one of the record’s most important keys; after all, there’s a ton of obstacles most would hit, but he succeeds wonderfully. Alas, the album’s feel occupies another fantastic chapter written by Bible of the Devil’s powerful passion: choruses are catchy, the music is heavy, and not a single item ages after a cluster of listens. Now get me a beer and a woman, right now!

Who makes up Bible of the Devil? Try four hard-edged rockers that know what stoner metal is all about, and possible prodigies leading this wonderful nature into new grounds of glory and beer, much where it belongs. “Freedom Metal” lives up to its distinct title; originality flutters within without fear, while proper mechanics rotate in unison on perfect measures. Song by song, this obscure group keep their ideas fresh and never lets go of fun-filled metal that radically adjusts beyond musical limits into great music good for your headphones and drinking parties! I promise you one thing: Bible of the Devil will rank among your favorites.

This review was written for: www.Thrashpit.com