News-Blog
BLOODROCK - VERGESSENE HARD-ROCK-PERLE AUS DEN STAATEN
- Sep 14, 2021
Bloodrock waren eine Hardrock-Band, die Capitol im Windschatten von Grand Funk Railroad segeln ließ, um deren Popularität für den Absatz von Bloodrock-Platten zu nutzen. So unähnlich waren sich Bloodrock und Grand Funk Railroad tatsächlich nicht, wenngleich die Band aus Texas bereits auf ihrem selbstbetitelten Debüt (1970, US #160) eine eigene Handschrift aufwies (zum Teil haben frühe Birth-Control-Sachen etwas von Bloodrock). In Sachen Härte schlugen Bloodrock streckenweise heftiger zu als ihre Label-Kollegen. Vor allem auf 3 (1971, US #27) sind ein paar deftige Hardrock-Gerichte angerührt, welche die Band in die Nähe der damals gerade erblühten Heavy-Metal-Szene rückten. Viele der Bloodrock-Stücke sind Blues-basierend, ebenso ist ein psychedelischer Einschlag unverkennbar. 2 war 1970 mit der Single “D.O.A.“ ihre kommerziell erfolgreichste Veröffentlichung (US #21). Später wandten sich Bloodrock gekonnt aber erfolglos vom harten Stoff ab und dem Progressive Rock zu. Dafür ist Album Nummer 5, PASSAGE (1972, US #105) ein gutes Beispiel. Wie so Vieles aus den Staaten gingen Bloodrock am Publikum in Deutschland völlig vorbei. Grund, hier auf diese ausgezeichnete Gruppe aufmerksam zu machen.
Bloodrock were a Hard Rock band that Capitol tried to let sail in the slipstream of Grand Funk Railroad, using their popularity to sell Bloodrock records. In fact, Bloodrock and Grand Funk Railroad were not that dissimilar, although the Texas band already showed its own signature on its self-titled debut (1970, US #160) (in part, early Birth Control stuff has some Bloodrock in it). In terms of heaviness, Bloodrock hit harder than their label mates in places. Especially on 3 (1971, US #27) there are some solid Hard Rock songs, which brought the band close to the Heavy Metal scene that was just blossoming at that time. Many of the Bloodrock tunes are Blues-based, and a psychedelic twist is also unmistakable. 2 was their most commercially successful release in 1970 (US #21) with the single "D.O.A.". Later, Bloodrock skillfully but unsuccessfully turned away from hard stuff and toward Progressive Rock. Album number 5, PASSAGE (1972, US #105) is a good example of this. Like so much from the States, Bloodrock completely bypassed the audience in Germany. Reason to draw attention to this excellent group here.
Bloodrock were a Hard Rock band that Capitol tried to let sail in the slipstream of Grand Funk Railroad, using their popularity to sell Bloodrock records. In fact, Bloodrock and Grand Funk Railroad were not that dissimilar, although the Texas band already showed its own signature on its self-titled debut (1970, US #160) (in part, early Birth Control stuff has some Bloodrock in it). In terms of heaviness, Bloodrock hit harder than their label mates in places. Especially on 3 (1971, US #27) there are some solid Hard Rock songs, which brought the band close to the Heavy Metal scene that was just blossoming at that time. Many of the Bloodrock tunes are Blues-based, and a psychedelic twist is also unmistakable. 2 was their most commercially successful release in 1970 (US #21) with the single "D.O.A.". Later, Bloodrock skillfully but unsuccessfully turned away from hard stuff and toward Progressive Rock. Album number 5, PASSAGE (1972, US #105) is a good example of this. Like so much from the States, Bloodrock completely bypassed the audience in Germany. Reason to draw attention to this excellent group here.
