Reviews list for Sadus - Out for Blood (2006)

Darren Travis and his 3-men (including himself) crew Sadus returned for one more album before their fade into oblivion. People were expecting them to resurrect their classic sound, but ended up frustrated by the different result. It really doesn't help the band's distant presence when they chose not to climb the old-school wall meticulously built with all their hard work. This legendary act has pulled what is deemed an unforgivable move.

Travis is so hellbent on continuing the band he has on with Jon Allen and Steve Di Giorgio since the 80s that he refuses to work for any other artist or band, wanting to focus on only one band in the metal spectrum, waiting for the right time to pull hard on the strings of his guitar in the next Sadus episode. Whether or not the band would ever leave the underground, Travis has never lost his passion. Despite never reach the mainstream, Sadus still has their cult following despite a change of taste. They've never made anything that truly sucked and they still have their anger here with barely any problems.

The band's genius talent is definitely still around "In the Name of...", a stylish opener where the vicious bass of Di Giorgio engages hand-to-hand with Travis' frantic riffing and hysterical vocal screeching in a hard modern-ish thrash showdown against the retro. It's not too apparent when "No More" is a groove track with electronic samples. Another supporting part of the album is "Smackdown", which has some hardcore Helmet/Biohazard-like vibes that might repel Sadus fanatics.

The title track saves this situation a bit with the technical riffing from the early 90s to never disappoint, shredding through numerous pounding tempos. "Lost It All" is not a total loss, though the creepy industrial groove doesn't really please fans despite interesting melody. "Sick" pulls off some sick wild thrash in an attempt to bring back the sound from their golden classic years. However, that gets toned down again with "Down" which has jumpy groove drama, but comes out as a forgettable mess. That's the closest we have to a Sadus stinker.

"Freedom" is what I found out is a tribute to late Death frontman Chuck Schuldiner, and how could it not be? They've serious made such a progressive piece with inspired oriental-sounding melodic hooks, that and the exemplary bass making the song a modern classic. "Freak" is a short yet excellent technical headbanger that makes a chaotic showdown to get your attention. "Cursed", the longest track by Sadus at over 8 minutes, is a complex diverse beast, beginning with oriental sitar riffing before delighting fans with the band's signature overlapping riffing, fast crescendos, and melodic passages. An undisputable highlight! The finale "Crazy" is not really that crazy, just having some thick dramatic groove that doesn't make a distinct way for the band to start having their vow of near-silence, though the modern tone really dominates.

After Out for Blood, Travis and co. made their ride in their most supported tour yet with dozens other metal bands, then after that, they've been done with prominent activity for a long while, though they're recently making a new chapter in the saga. I won't rush. Whichever thrilling ride they take after this album in the future, I'm up for it....

Favorites: "In the Name of...", "Out for Blood", "Sick", "Freedom", "Cursed"