April 12th, 2024 - Planting the Blood Seed in a Killer Grove

 

Hello and happy Friday metal maniacs, evil-doers, and craft beer freaks!  The Meista here starting the weekend off right with a pairing of "The Blood Seed", the latest kick-ass album by the indelible Absolon and a tasty and citrusy Killer Grove Blood Orange Wheat Ale from Talisman Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Absolon
• Title: "The Blood Seed" 
• Recorded: 2023 at Everywhere Studios
• Release date: February 23rd, 2024 (3rd full-length studio album by Absolon)
• Record company: No Life 'til Metal Records / Roxx Records
• Production: Bill Bafford and Ken Pike 
• Album cover art: Scott Waters (layout and design) 
• Personnel: Wayne Noon (drums), Ken Pike (lead vocals), and Alex Repetti (guitars, bass, keyboards, and backing vocals)
• Additional musicians: Ryo Pike (organ on "The Blood Seed") and Marc Vandenberg (guitars on "Darkness Calls")
• Musical style: Heavy metal, progressive metal, symphonic power metal
• Sound: Led by visionary Ken Pike (vocals, songwriting, production), Absolon blends traditional heavy metal with more progressive elements. If you are a fan of bands like Dio, Fates Warning, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queensrÿche, etc., then you will totally dig this album! Ken is joined by two incredibly talented musicians: guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, and sound engineer Alex Repetti, (Infinite Spectrum, Severed Angel, and Tension Rising) and monster drummer Wayne Noon (Project Resurrect and Severed Angel). The sound on "Blood Seed" is thoughtful, dynamic, and complex, yet totally rocking!  It is characterized by soaring and fiery guitars, thunderous and powerful drumming, and Pike's amazing vocal acrobatics!  Every track really packs a punch!
• Major themes: Power, might, darkness, evil, rage, violence, war, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Destroyer"
2. "Darkness Calls"
3. "My Shadow"
4. "Anger Unconfined"
5. "The Blood Seed"
6. "The Time Has Come"
7. "Gates Of Hell"
8. "War Of Angels (Heavens On Fire)"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Talisman Brewing Company (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://www.talismanbrewingco.com/
• Brew: Killer Grove Blood Orange Wheat Ale
• Style: Honey Wheat Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Killer Grove pours a pale, hazy golden-straw color with a pinkish hue and a frothy, 1-finger, bright white head with good sustain and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, bready, sweet, and tart.  There are aromas of orange zest, lemon zest, lemon juice, freshly baked honey wheat bread, light grains, and honey.
• Taste: The taste of the Killer Grove follows the nose with fruity, bready, sweet, and sour flavors.  There are notes of orange peel, orange juice, a hint of lemon, doughy wheat bread, a touch of sweet honey, and a hint of caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium in body and well carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp, slightly tart, and very smooth with a clean, slightly dry and tart finish.

Overall pairing: The Killer Grove Blood Orange Wheat Ale from Talisman Brewing Company is a great brew to accompany metal onslaught that is Absolon's "The Blood Seed"!   I'm pairing these two beauties for several reasons: a) both kick ass, "The Blood Seed" for its sonic assault and the Killer Grove Blood Orange for its punchy flavor.  b) both employ complex and intense approaches to delivery and flavor.  d) the name of the beer and the album title work well together.  e) did I mention that they both kick ass?  :)

Make sure to check out my interview with Absolon here: https://youtu.be/9C7H4vBxjbs 

Cheers and hails!!