Album Review: Arms to Oblivion – Life Blood Deal (Self Released)

Released on the June 20th, ‘Life Blood Deal’ is the new album from Suffolk groove metal band, Arms to Oblivion.

Sitting uncomfortably in the groove metal world, and only because there’s a fair bit more to their sound, Arms to Oblivion display a wider musical palette with this banging record. One that delivers energy, excitement, and passion, but one that also has depth, courtesy of some notable lyrics and experimental flashes.

They start hot too, slapping the listener upside the head, ensuring everyone is giving them their full attention. Although with the spitting snarling crowd pleaser that is Sharpen the Tongue, few won’t be fully focused, and it just gets better from there.

I dig the hell out of Corpse. The guitar riffs rampage through the mind, the drums are meaty sounding, and the vocals changing from gruff and angry to more harmonic gives the whole thing a bit more oomph. Then there is Blinded, a track that embodies the groovier side of the band as you’ll hear the influence of bands like Pantera and Lamb of God within. Before As I Fall takes things in an unexpected and expansive direction, proving that they do really have so much more to offer and they can experiment with groove in interesting ways.

The middle part of the album then comes with a bit more Pantera worship, courtesy of Pieces of Agony. However, the raw serrated tone of the guitars helps make it stand out. Especially as its position on the album isn’t the best being sandwiched in between As I Fall and the mighty Common Curse, which is a track liable to give you heart palpitations. Although you might not notice as you’ll be banging your head so hard, the blood will be thumping in your ears.

How do you follow that? By getting creative again and delivering another couple of undeniable bangers with varied detail. Namely Got a Nerve, Scoundrel Days, and Chokehold. Trust me, if you’ve liked everything up to this point of the album, you’re going to be left with a silly grin on your face here. It’s not just more of the same, even though there’s plenty of familiar body-shaking groove. I also think it’s important to say that you’ll hear some of the albums best vocals amongst these tracks.

Quick note about Scoundrel Days – this is an a-ha cover. If you’re like me, and you know one a-ha song, then this will be a mystery to you, but do me a favour. Go listen to the a-ha song, and then come back and listen to this cover. It’s a mighty fine cover with clever twists that make it Arms to Oblivion, and I actually dig the original too.

Finally, it’s All Fades Away, an ending with oomph. An ending with power, but power that comes from melody as much as it does metal. I’m loathe to use the word ‘epic’ because it doesn’t quite fit, but damn it, it’s mighty close. A huge closing track that puts one hell of an exclamation point on the album. The guitar soloing is badass.

An album and a band that deserves your attention.

Arms to Oblivion – Life Blood Deal Track Listing:

1. Sharpen The Tongue
2. Corpse
3. Blinded
4. As I Fall
5. Pieces of Agony
6. Common Curse
7. Got a Nerve
8. Scoundrel Days (a-ha Cover)
9. Chokehold
10. All Fades Away

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