Review by MartinDavey87 for Body Count - Bloodlust (2017)

Released in 2017, ‘Bloodlust’ is the sixth studio album by rap metal band Body Count, the metal project formed by hip hop legend Ice-T. After an eight year hiatus, the band struck back with 2014’s ‘Manslaughter’, an album that was arguably the heaviest thing they’d ever put out, and instantly helped the band gain momentum with their return. This brings us to ‘Bloodlust’, which follows on exactly where its predecessor left off.

Once more pushing the boundaries with how heavy they can get, ‘Bloodlust’ is a non-stop assault of absolutely massive guitar riffs, rapid-fire lyrics spewing pure vitriol and frustration, all packed into 41 minutes of anger, aggression and political statements. 59 year-old Ice-T hasn’t mellowed with age, in fact, he sounds more pissed off than ever, rapping about crime, violence, corruption, and all the usual subjects that he’s been rapping about since the late 80’s, yet sadly, are still as relevant today as they ever were.

It’s insane how monstrously heavy this thing is. Having ramped up their sound and production to fit perfectly with the modern metal landscape, songs like ‘The Ski Mask Way’, ‘Civil War’, ‘All Hope is Lost’, ‘Black Hoodie’ and the title track itself, show a band who are pulling no punches and taking no prisoners. Particular highlight, ‘No Lives Matter’, is probably one of the best songs Body Count has ever written, probably one of their most relevant too. And along with guest appearances by the likes of Dave Mustaine and Max Cavalera, and a cover of the Slayer classic, ‘Raining Blood’, it’s clear that ‘Bloodlust’ is not for the faint of heart.

While there may be a couple of tracks I find fairly passable, overall, this is a very solid album from start to finish. Ice-T and co. have proven that they’re here to stay, and showing with ‘Bloodlust’ that 25 years since their debut, and getting heavier with each release, they still have plenty to say, and are just getting warmed up.