Contestant: "I'll take 'Little-Known Modern Rock Bands' for $200, Alex."

Alex: "Alright, Louise. The question: This semi-obscure Swedish band combines flavorless metal barking with spiritually uplifting lyrics."

Contestant: "Hmmmm. What is SOILWORK?"

Alex: "Oh, I'm sorry, Louise. The answer is BLINDSIDE. But for your consolation prize, you can stick that fork in this light socket. Thanks for playing."

Contestant: "Great! Thank you, Alex!"

At any rate, Sweden's BLINDSIDE plays modern metal a la PAPA ROACH or SEVENDUST. It's not the worst attempt at this style I've ever encountered, but I just can't get excited about any of it. A reish, now on a major, this came out the first time a few years back (2000) on a private label. But now, here it is with bonus tracks, as exciting as those pickles sliced the long way. There's a few headbobbers on this one, like "Where Eye Meets Eye" which has some decent riffage of the detuned variety. But really for this style it's not even in the same ballpark with say, that latest GZR album. There are religious themes that crop up all over the place lyrically (great idea, guys), but it doesn't make things any more interesting. This is the kind of band that, even if you like parts of this particular CD, there's nothing at all that would drive you to check out the rest of their catalog. The press pack mentions an upcoming 2 1/2 hour DVD that they'll be releasing this year, and all I can think is, "Good God, don't send it here." Although I must admit that as samey and test-patternish as I found this listening experience, it still beats the hell out an entire album of THE HAUNTED's bread sandwich vocal screams. There's definitely worse than this. It's heavy and it's got some hooks but you've heard it all before. If you can't get enough of the last P.O.D. album, this puppy's for you.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.blindsideonline.com

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