Blood of the Tyrant is a metal quartet from Chicago that strikes a perfect balance between earth-shaking heaviness and elegant technical finesse. Drawing upon a wide array of influences that includes Meshuggah, Black Sabbath, Neurosis and Goblin, Blood of the Tyrant seamlessly combines the drama and melodic intuition of traditional heavy metal with the crushing brutality of the vibrant modern metal scene. Intricate guitar harmonies sit comfortably alongside plodding, doom-laden riffage and chaotic bursts of hardcore-inspired fury, and songs are carefully arranged to have a severe and lasting emotional impact. A maelstrom of progressive and metallic textures, Blood of the Tyrant is not to be missed. For fans of Mastodon, Baroness, Isis, High on Fire, Zombi, Today is the Day and Yakuza.
"I’m not sure exactly how Chicago suddenly became the metal capital of America, but I’m not going to complain. I like having a metal-themed burger place, a metal-only venue, and bands covering the whole spectrum from thrash to black to avant right in my backyard. Lately I’ve been especially psyched about Blood of the Tyrant, a local quartet with a sound about as heavy as a building demolition. Their new self-titled, self-released album is a stoney, wicked collection of killer riffs, deep-ass grooves, and long instrumental stretches that are creepy enough to justify the Goblin name-check on their MySpace page. If they keep it up they could get a permanent spot on the Kuma’s menu.
—Miles Raymer
Chicago Reader"
