September 2025 Featured Release - The Revolution Edition

So just like that we find that a new month is upon us which of course means that we’ll be nominating a brand new monthly feature release for each clan. This essentially means that we’re asking you to rate, review & discuss our chosen features for no other reason than because we enjoy the process & banter. We’re really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on our chosen releases so don’t be shy.

This month's feature release for The Revolution, nominated by me (Shadowdoom9 (Andi)), is the 2006 debut album by Los Angeles-based melodic deathcore band As Blood Runs Black, Allegiance. Their blend of deathcore and melodic death metal was quite unique in the mid-2000s Myspace era, and it still sounds fresh today. This is a grand example of what early non-symphonic melodic deathcore sounds like!

https://metal.academy/releases/30622

I've done my review, here's its summary:

There has been some talk about As Blood Runs Black's debut Allegiance being similar to The Black Dahlia Murder. I haven't listened to a lot of that band, but based on the few songs I've heard from TBDM, I can totally understand. Allegiance I would consider more of a blend of deathcore and melodeath. And everything is in perfect place, including the breakdowns! This is also back when melodic deathcore was more deathly and less blackened/symphonic than their younger peers. Allegiance has the fast guitarwork, melodic soloing, and brutal breakdowns to expect in any metalcore/deathcore album. Vocals range from blackened to deathly. Lots of blast beats are used in the drumming. And the songs are all under 5 minutes in length, so don't expect any progressive epics. The breakdowns actually have audible bass which isn't quite common in other parts of the album. This album would've been 100% perfect but ends up getting a couple percentage points knocked off for a beautiful yet unfitting acoustic interlude in the middle. Still, Allegiance is the best place for anyone wanting to test out deathcore for the first time without going into the popular new wave of symphonic blackened deathcore. I just hope As Blood Runs Black would return with another masterpiece like this without any acoustic interludes. We need more straight-up melodic deathcore, seriously!

5/5

Recommended tracks: "In Dying Days", "My Fears Have Become Phobias", "The Brighter Side of Suffering", "Strife (Chug Chug)", "Legends Never Die"

For fans of: All Shall Perish, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Crimson Armada