God Forbid's sound has evolved over the years, and Earthsblood continues that evolution. You'll hear plenty of extremity and heaviness, but this is also the band's most accessible album to date. It's one of those choices that may alienate some long time fans who want nothing but brutality and screaming vocals, but will also draw a wider audience, which is what pays the bills.
Songs like "Shallow" are vintage God Forbid, with thrashy guitars, a great groove and intense vocals from Byron Davis. There are a few tracks that are epic in scope, with lengthy instrumental sections, tempo changes and a combination of screaming and singing vocals. "Bat The Angeles" is one of the stronger ones in that vein. God Forbid has evolved from metalcore to a more traditional metal band, but remnants of 'core remain.
Coyle also told me they spent a lot of time on the vocals for this CD, and it shows. Davis' screaming vocals have always been top-notch, but the Coyles' melodic vocals are much improved from the last CD.
God Forbid has been a band on the verge of breaking through to the upper echelon of metal, and Earthsblood along with some high profile 2009 tours with bands like Lamb of God and Slayer may provide that push.
(released February 24, 2009 on Century Media Records)
