Nothing about this band is as lame as the name would suggest. Unfortunately, there is nothing particularly special about BLUDGEON, either. You have heard this all before. 'World Controlled' is produced by MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio, who is also the man responsible for signing the band to his Magic Circle label. I’m just having trouble finding the appeal.

Everything on “World Controlled is ultra-tight, maybe too tight. The overall sound is very mechanical and there is an annoying flange effect on some of the songs that takes away most of the grit. The down-tuned metalcore riffs of “World Controlled” lack in dynamics and pretty much all sound the same. I would have enjoyed this record more if the band would have taken more chances musically. The only song that offers any kind of variation is the final song "Save Your Servant", which features a nice melodic intro that develops into a theme throughout the song, paying homage to early METALLICA. Even this song however does not live up to its potential. In the end, you’ll wish they had done more with it. I am also not sure why the band features two guitar players, because they both pretty much play the same thing. What's the point? I am not asking for any IRON MAIDEN harmonies here, but if both guitarists played off each other it would have made this disc far more interesting. Really, it’s not a total loss. There are some nice dark, heavy, brutal riffs on 'World Controlled'. The band just doesn't take enough chances or offer anything particularly challenging for the listener. There are plenty of metal bands out there doing this type of music who actually make it interesting.

- Peters

OFFICIAL SITE: www.bludgeon.tv

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