Editorial Reviews

The Tardy Brothers certainly doesn't sound like the name of a metal group -- perhaps a Top 40 or dance-pop group, but not a metal group. Nonetheless, the Tardy Brothers are very much a metal group; in fact, they are none other than singer John Tardy and drummer Donald Tardy, both members of Obituary (one of Florida's best known death metal units). The Tardy Brothers are a side project for the siblings, and their Bloodline album doesn't sound anything like Obituary. Actually, this early 2009 release isn't death metal at all; the material is best described as punk-minded alternative metal and thrash metal with a strong hardcore influence (not hardcore as in metalcore, but rather, hardcore of the old-school variety). The tortured vocals are not the stereotypical "Cookie Monster" growling of death metal; instead, they are angry, bitter, angst-ridden vocals that burn with punk and hardcore rage. Without question, Bloodline is one seriously angry album -- and the fact that the Tardy Brothers have a lot of hooks to go with all that venom is the thing that makes Bloodline as effective as it is. From "Eternal Lies" to "Bring You Down" to "Fate's Call," Bloodline always has a strong sense of groove. Bloodline thrives on in-your-face aggression, but it also thrives on the Tardy Brothers' desire to make sure their hooks are catchy and infectious. One thing Bloodline never does, however, is sound like an Obituary tribute disc; if anything, the Tardy siblings go out of their way to avoid sounding like Obituary. Although not groundbreaking, Bloodline is a respectable effort and demonstrates that there is life outside of Obituary for John and Donald Tardy. Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

• Listener Rating: